Labubu to “pan de shabu.”
A personnel of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) was caught on November 26 smuggling shabu, or crystal meth, into prison using pan de sal, a Filipino bread roll.
Reports said that a female BuCor personnel, identified as “CTO1 Melchora,” was arrested after contraband was found in a bag of pan de sal she was supposed to smuggle to a person deprived of liberty (PDL) in a dormitory of the maximum-security compound at New Bilibid Prison. CTO1 stands for Corrections Technical Officer 1.
BuCor found one sachet of shabu stuffed inside a pan de sal, while another sachet was found beneath the bread rolls.
The illegal drugs were intercepted at Gate 1 of the NBP’s Maximum Security Compound in Muntinlupa City.
In a follow-up operation, authorities discovered 33 more packs of shabu in the area the PDL “Melchora” was supposed to visit.
The PDL was identified as Reineill Dizon.
The investigation revealed that “Melchora” frequently visits Dizon, who was confined at the BuCor hospital.
“Duda namin, sila ang nagkakakuntsabahan para magpuslit ng mga droga sa loob,” BuCor director general Gregorio Catapang was quoted as saying.
“Kaya pati ‘yung PDL iimbestigahan din, dahil makakasuhan na naman siya ng anti-drug trafficking, lalo siyang makukulong ng mahabang panahon,” he added.
Catapang said that “Melchora” would also be relieved from her post soon following the incident.
Meanwhile, news of the situation went viral on Facebook as Filipinos shared their reactions, with some recalling another case of drug smuggling.
“Creativity at its toughest,” a Pinoy wrote.
“Ano ba, mga pulis? Kaliwa’t kanan na… Dapat talagang i-lifestyle check na itong mga ‘to… drug test etc. Ang daming sila mismo ang mga gumagawa ng krimen,” another commented.
“Labubu and now, pandesal?!” a different Filipino asked.
“Kahapon, labubu. Ngayon, pandesal naman,” another said.
Last month, authorities discovered high-grade marijuana, or “kush,” smuggled in Labubu keychains bound for Laguna.
The shipment originated from Hong Kong.
The contraband was found concealed in boxes of Labubu keychains, prompting Filipinos to express disbelief at how “creative” criminals have become.
ALSO READ: ‘Parang sa pelikula’: Labubu keychains used to smuggle high-grade marijuana
Shabu and marijuana are considered illegal drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
