(Photo courtesy of PNP Public Information Office)
MANILA – Authorities seized some PHP408 million worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation in Pampanga on Thursday afternoon.
In a report, Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) director Brig. Gen. Randy Peralta said suspect Hernani Cosumo, 31, was arrested during the operation at around 2 p.m. at the Mega Station along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Kilometer 62 in Barangay San Felipe, San Fernando City.
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region 3, Police Regional Office 3 and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Cosumo yielded around 60 kilos of shabu, two PHP1,000 bills used as buy-bust money, a mobile phone, a Hyundai Starex with plate number YFU 655; and assorted identification cards and documents.
The suspect and the recovered pieces of evidence were brought to the PNP-DEG Special Operations Unit headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa for documentation and proper disposition. He will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. proceeded to the scene of the operation.
In a Facebook live broadcast of the DILG Central Luzon, Abalos said this proves that the government is serious about sustaining a relentless campaign against illegal drugs.
“Ako ay nagpapasalamat sa pulisya, sa PDEA, sa lahat ng sumali sa operation na ito. Ito ay nagpapakita ng synergy, ng kooperasyon ng bawat ahensya ng gobyerno, na talagang gagawin natin ang lahat (I thank the police, the PDEA and all who joined this operation. This shows the synergy and the cooperation between government agencies. We will do everything). We will try to fill the gaps,” he added.
Abalos earlier said the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would put greater focus on building up strong cases against drug suspects. (PNA)
