BALER, Aurora -- Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested the No. 1 target drug personality in this province in a buy-bust operation conducted Monday afternoon.
PDEA provincial officer Juanco L. Esteban identified the suspect as Carlos Nico Molina, 29, of Sitio Hiwalayan, Barangay Bacong, San Luis, this province.
The PDEA, together with operatives of the Drug Enforcement Unit of Baler Police Station, nabbed the drug suspect in front of Suklayin Elementary School in Barangay Suklayin here around 3:45 p.m.
Confiscated from the suspect were 15 pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu, weighing approximately 15 grams with an estimated street market value of PHP165,000.
The suspect and the confiscated items were brought to the Aurora Provincial Crime Laboratory Office for a drug test and laboratory examination.
The arrested suspect is now detained at the Baler Police Station.
He will be facing charges for violation of Sections 5, 11 and 15 of Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
Molina, in an interview with Philippine News Agency (PNA), bared that the illegal drugs came from the National Capital Region.
“Every week, my contact used to arrive here. He only stayed for two days to give me the items for sale to clients (drug users). I earned PHP100 (for) each sachet of shabu. He supports me in my vice of using shabu for free,” he said. The suspect claimed that he is only a drug runner and user.
The PDEA official said the suspect’s arrest will create a dramatic reduction of shabu supply here. “We will continue our operations to pursue our target list local drug personalities, eradicate drug problems in the remaining affected areas and at the same time, maintain the drug-free status of the cleared areas in this province,” Esteban said.
He also lauded the efforts and support of the PNP in its drive against illegal drugs here.
“We and the police are observing maximum tolerance and ensuring respect for human rights since this province remains the most peaceful in Central Luzon,” Esteban added.
Capt. Ferdinand Beatriz Usita, Baler police chief, vowed to continue working double-time to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs in his areas of responsibility.
“We will continue to double our efforts in carrying out all our anti-criminality measures to guarantee the people of a safer community,” he said.
Likewise, he appealed to the public to help them in their anti-illegal drugs campaign. “I am also asking the people to help us and continue to be the eyes and ears of the authorities,” he added. (PNA)
