BALIWAG, Bulacan -- Two women, believed to be members of a drug ring, were arrested on Thursday by anti-narcotics agents here for alleged possession of PHP25 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
A report submitted to Bulacan provincial director, Senior Supt. Chito G. Bersaluna, by Supt. Voltaire C. Rivera, Baliwag acting chief of police, identified the two suspects as Cristina Joana Trinidad, 39, of Barangay Tambubong, San Rafael; and Ruth Francisco, 34, of Barangay Loma de Gato, Marilao.
Bersaluna said some 3.7 kilograms of shabu, with an estimated street value of PHP25 million, were confiscated during the sting in Barangay Sta. Barbara at around 3:50 a.m.
The operation stemmed from a tip given by a reliable informant that Trinidad and her cohort were distributing illegal drugs in the area.
The anti-narcotics agents immediately coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and a buy-bust operation was subsequently conducted, which resulted in the suspects' arrest after they sold and traded a plastic sachet containing suspected shabu in exchange for PHP10,000.
“Confiscated from the possession of the suspects were three pieces medium seized heat-sealed plastic sachet containing shabu, one varsity bag containing three pieces of large self-sealing plastic sachet containing shabu, a weighing scale, and the marked money used in the buy-bust operation,” Bersaluna said.
He said the seized illegal drugs were forwarded to the Bulacan Police Provincial Office Crime Laboratory for qualitative and quantitative examination, while the suspects are now being detained at the Baliwag Municipal Police Station.
Police is readying appropriate charges against the suspects. (PNA)
