NABBED. National Capital Region Police Office Chief, Major Gen. Guillermo Eleazar inspects the illegal drugs and other items seized from Domingo Tanyao Uy Jr. who was arrested Shangri-la at the Fort before dawn Wednesday (May 22, 2019). (Photo by Lloyd Caliwan)
MANILA -- Police arrested a 44-year-old businessman and seized from him some PHP8.5-million worth of illegal drugs, including ecstasy tablets, in a posh hotel in Taguig City on Wednesday morning.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief, Major Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, identified the suspect as Domingo Tanyao Uy Jr., who was arrested at Unit 909 of the Shangri-La at the Fort around 1 a.m.
In an interview, Eleazar said the hotel management reported the incident to the police after a housekeeping staff member, who was set to clean the room occupied by Uy, noticed that there was an open vault containing money and contraband.
The suspect, whose nature of business is yet to be investigated, was arrested upon his arrival at the unit, he said.
“He was occupying the unit for six months. Clearly, we have to investigate ang kanyang activities and we will be checking his background to find out sino ba at bakit mayroon ganun karaming droga (We have to investigate his activities and check his background to find out who he is working with and why does he have such a huge amount of illegal drugs),” Eleazar said.
Seized from the suspect were six packs of transparent plastic sachets containing 4,038 pieces of suspected ecstasy tablets with an estimated worth of PHP6,864,600; some 22 packs of transparent plastic bags containing more or less 350 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated price of PHP1,855,000; three vacuumed-sealed plastic bags containing more or less 103 grams of kush worth PHP51,500; three small transparent bottles containing a yellowish liquid suspected to be a dangerous drug; several documents; and PHP720,346 in cash.
"The items seized, just see. Ito talaga saan pa mapupunta itong party drugs that will cater to the customers na mayroon capability magbayad at mapupuntahan niyan mga bars here in BGC. We know for a fact (that) there are a lot (of) big establishments here in BGC. Possibly, diyan dadalhin 'yan at iba pang kliyente na makapag-avail (These party drugs are most likely to be sold to clients who have the capability to pay, especially here in BGC, where there are a lot of big establishments and bars),” he said.
Eleazar lauded the hotel's management for reporting the incident to the police, as he urged the public to help and cooperate with authorities in apprehending those involved in criminal activities.
The suspect will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)
