BY: ANGELICA ARQUERO
Authorities seized 20 kilograms of suspected shabu worth 136 million pesos in a buy-bust operation on March 25. One of the four arrested suspects was a police officer from Baguio City.
The joint operation was conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) National Capital Region, PDEA Cordillera, and the Police Regional Office Cordillera in a residence at South China Sea Subdivision, Green Valley, Barangay Dontogan, Baguio City.
During the operation, authorities confiscated a suitcase containing 20 packs of shabu, each wrapped in tea packaging.
“This resembles the original packaging, which means it likely came directly from the source. Unlike other confiscated drugs that appear repackaged, these are still vacuum-sealed,” said PDEA-Cordillera Regional Director Derrick Arnold Carreon.
Among those arrested were Police Master Sergeant Palmer Nankihid Moling, 45; Mary Ann Teope Ty, 49; Mark Leonard Teope, 38; and Adriano Soriano, 37.
Aside from the illegal drugs, authorities also recovered a 9mm pistol, identification cards, and a vehicle allegedly used to transport the drugs from Manila to Baguio City.
“This was only a staging area. The drugs were not meant for consumption in Baguio but were temporarily stored here before being distributed to other regions,” Carreon explained.
Police Brigadier General David K. Peredo Jr., regional director of the Police Regional Office Cordillera, acknowledged that one of the suspects was a police officer.
“We were extra cautious with our operations to ensure his arrest. Even if he is our colleague, if he is involved in illegal activities, he must be held accountable,” Peredo stated.
Meanwhile, two of the arrested suspects denied any involvement.
“I was just here to drive, and we were about to return to Manila when this happened. I have nothing to do with this,” one suspect claimed.
The four suspects are now in the custody of PDEA-Cordillera and face multiple charges, including violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Authorities are also preparing administrative charges against the police officer, which could lead to his dismissal from service.
