NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo (File photo)
MANILA – National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo on Monday lauded police officers in the region for the arrest of a high-value drug suspect and two other fugitives, including a dismissed policeman.
Based on the report by Southern Police District (SPD) director Col. Kirby John Kraft, 34-year-old suspect Christie de Castro was nabbed in a sting operation by members of the District Drug Enforcement Unit (DDEU) of the SPD together with District Mobile Force Battalion (DMFB) personnel in Barangay Sta. Ana, Taguig City on Sunday.
Seized during the operation were four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets that contained more or less 75 grams of shabu with an estimated value of PHP510,000.
"I commend the elements of Southern Police District DDEU and DMFB personnel for their joint effort in causing the arrest of this high-value target and confiscation of more than half a million worth of suspected shabu in Taguig City,” Estomo said.
He said the suspect will face complaints for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 while the seized suspected illegal drugs were turned over to the forensic laboratory for appropriate examination.
Meanwhile, police officers also arrested Richie Agaad, 41, one of NCRPO's top most wanted persons, in Barangay Western Bicutan, Taguig on Saturday.
Agaad is wanted for murder by the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 122.
On the same day, Estomo said a manhunt operation resulted in the arrest of dismissed police officer Eduardo Salamat Jr., 46, in Vitas St. Tondo, Manila. Salamat has an arrest warrant for robbery issued by the Manila RTC Branch 32.
Both accused were brought to the operating unit office for proper documentation before turning them over to the court.
"Patuloy po ang ating mga kapulisan sa paglulunsad ng mga operasyon kontra sa mga most wanted persons kaya hinihikayat na rin natin ang iba pang akusado na sumuko ng payapa sa awtoridad upang masagot ang mga kasong inihain laban sa kanila (Our police forces continue to launch operations against most wanted persons, so we are also encouraging the other accused to surrender peacefully to the authorities so that they can respond to the charges filed against them)," Estomo said. (PNA)
