LEGAZPI CITY -- Anti-narcotics operatives on Friday nabbed six suspected illegal drug pushers and seized 300 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP1.75 million in separate buy-bust operations in a hotel in Barangay Maroroy, Daraga, Albay, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported.
First to be arrested were Marlon Fernandez, alias Bok, 40, of Guinobatan, Albay, a regional high-value target (HVT); Lorraine Santiago, 28, of Antipolo City; and Elmer Cunthada, 37, of Barangay Mambugan, Antipolo City.
Also arrested in another raid were Josam Tabuena Jr. alias “Third”, 55, of Daraga, Albay; Jan Mark Rapisura alias “Matik”, 32, of Guinobatan, Albay; and Jomel dela Cruz, 21, of Ligao City.
PDEA regional director Christian Frivaldo, in an interview, said the anti-drug surveillance, combined elements of the PDEA, Philippine National Police, and National Bureau of Investigation swooped down on the suspects at 12:10 a.m. and 1 a.m. in two rented rooms at the Neuhaus Inn in Barangay Maroroy.
"The suspects are detained at the PDEA detention facility, awaiting the filing of charges for violation of the Comprehensive Illegal Drug law," said Frivaldo.
As this developed, Friday’s arrest of six drug personalities brings to 11 the number of suspected drug peddlers and users arrested in various drug operations in Bicol this week, said a report reaching the PNP in Bicol. (PNA)
