MANILA – A total of PHP4.5 million worth of shabu were confiscated in a series of anti-illegal drug operations across the country on Saturday.
In Cebu City, John Carl Entia Gimpayan, 24, a regional high-value individual, was arrested in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City, which resulted in the seizure of PHP2,550,000. worth of illegal substance.
In Sulu, two drug suspects identified as Basal Jaliluddin and Siraina Ahajan were nabbed by joint elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM), and other anti-crime units.
Jalilludin was the subject of search warrants for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and RA 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Confiscated during the operation were one magazine for 5.56mm; one MK2 hand grenade, one M67 grenade (HE), seven cartridges of 7.62mm, 2 pitchers, vaccination card of Jaliluddin, and 12 sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of PHP340,000.
In San Mateo, Rizal, three drug suspects were apprehended namely: Joana Babasa (HVI), Ana Mae Oliva and Neavie Guzman.
The operatives confiscated from them two knot-tied plastic bags and six sachets containing suspected shabu worth PHP1,632,000.
Aside from shabu, police operatives were able to discover and destroy 138 bricks and six tubular forms of dried marijuana leaves in Kalinga province.
Joint elements from the police and military conducted a checkpoint operation in Barangay Dangoy, Lubuagan town where suspects Richard Ilagan dela Cruz and Dario Orpanel Gadingan were arrested.
This stemmed from information that the said suspects on board a red Mitsubishi Adventure would be transporting alleged marijuana from Tinglayan, Kalinga to Metro Manila.
The confiscated pieces of evidence have a total estimated value of PHP17,280,000.
“Tulong-tulong tayo sa pagsiguro na mananagot ang mga may sala sa batas. (Let us help one another in making sure those who violate the laws are penalized). Efforts undertaken by various police units and stations in the country are yielding positive results in our combat against criminality. These web of police operations are telling us of the relentless drive to sweep criminality,” PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said in a statement on Sunday. (PNA)
