BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
Two suspected high-value drug personalities were arrested in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on April 10.
Authorities identified the suspects as alias “Ed,” 40, and alias “McGyver,” 21.
Confiscated from them were three packs containing 250 grams of suspected shabu worth 1.7 million pesos, a .45 caliber firearm with a magazine and seven bullets, drug paraphernalia, two mobile phones, and marked money used in the transaction.
The suspects had reportedly been under surveillance by PDEA for some time before the operation was carried out.
They now face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, in connection with the ongoing COMELEC gun ban.
In a separate incident in San Fernando City, La Union, a 30-year-old bouncer identified as alias “Julz” was also arrested in a buy-bust operation on April 9.
Authorities recovered 1.5 grams of suspected shabu valued at 10,200 pesos, drug paraphernalia, and buy-bust money from his residence. He is now in PDEA custody and facing charges.
Meanwhile, PDEA and the Police Regional Office–Cordillera destroyed millions worth of marijuana plants in separate operations in the region.
On April 9-10, over 50,400 marijuana plants worth 10.08 million pesos were uprooted and destroyed in a 4,200-square meter plantation in Barangay Butbut Proper, Tinglayan, Kalinga.
Earlier, on April 7, another marijuana plantation was raided in Barangay Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet.
About 985 marijuana plants, valued at 197,000 pesos, were destroyed.
Authorities are still investigating the individuals responsible for maintaining the plantations.
