MANILA - About 500 grams of shabu and counterfeit drugs amounting to P2.5 million were seized from two Nigerians in an entrapment operation in Bacoor, Cavite, Friday.

.@Kev_Manalo gives updates on the arrest of two alleged members of the African drug syndicate. #ANCRecap pic.twitter.com/PuU8VxoETj — ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) March 10, 2018

Suspects Agu Austin Chukwuebuka and Nkwocha Chimaobi were arrested after they sold 11 sachets of suspected shabu stashed in electronic adaptors to an undercover agent in a parking lot of a fast food chain in Talaba 4, Bacoor City, Cavite, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino said in a press conference.

Upon testing, it was found that only 2 sachets contained shabu, while the remaining 9 sachets had isopropylbenzylamine, known as "fake shabu."

"We are looking at the possibility that the drug syndicates are facing supply problems that's why they're selling fake drugs," Aquino said.

Both suspects denied they were drug peddlers, claiming they are students in Metro Manila.

Intelligence reports linked Chukwuebuka and Chimaobi to an African drug syndicate operating in parts of Cavite, Aquino said.

Authorities have yet to verify if they have ties to international drug cartels.

The suspects are temporarily under the custody of PDEA's regional office in CALABARZON and will be facing charges for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.