JOINT teams raided a house rented by a Canadian national linked to 1.4 tons of shabu with an estimated street value of P9.6 billion seized at a police checkpoint in Alitagtag, Batangas on Monday.
However, the suspect was nowhere to be found in a house in Barangay Natipuan, Nasugbu.
The operation was based on a search warrant issued by a local court for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
Col. Jean Fajardo, Philippine National Police chief information officer, said probers received information that Ajalon Michael Zarate, the driver of the van who transported the shabu, had stayed in the house.
On Thursday, police said a private yacht was suspected to have transported the illegal drugs to Nasugbu.
Meanwhile, Batangas provincial prosecutor Lourdes Ramirez-Zapanta allayed fears amid speculation that the drug haul was reduced from nearly two tons to 1.4 tons.
Zapanta said initial figures were given prior to the final inventory.
