Police seize P7.7M worth of shabu

LEGAZPI CITY: For three consecutive days of massive operations across the Bicol Region, the Philippine National Police (PNP) seized at least P7.791,116 million worth of shabu, LtCol. Maria Luisa “Malu” Calubaquib, PNP Bicol spokesman, said.

Calubaquib said that the anti-drug campaign of the PNP netted at least 11 drug suspects that led to the confiscation of the prohibited substance from January 21 to 23 here.

Arrested were Ryan Magdalita, 35 years old, single and a resident of 1830 Algiceras St., Sampaloc Metro Manila. He was cornered by police operatives from regional command at Zone 1, San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur at around 7:50 in the morning where he was caught in possession of 1000 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P6,800,000.

Shortly after, two drug retailers were also nabbed in Camarines Sur who were known as Aldin Fortuna, 36 years old, and Luis Tampoco Jr., 50 years old, both from San Vicente Ogbon, Nabua, Camarines Sur.

Recovered from the suspects were 20 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P136,000.

Meanwhile, anti-narcotics operatives apprehended Leo Asistio Jr., 37 years old, a resident of Sitio Banaba, Barangay Inchican, Silang, Cavite.

Asistio is a high-value individual according to Calubaquib. Taken from his possession were 50 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P340,000 and a caliber .38 revolver without make and serial number loaded with four live ammunition.

Subsequently, after Asistio fell into the hands of anti-narcotic operatives, rice mill operator Omar Maralit, 30 years old, a resident of Guisican village, Labo town in Camarines Norte, was caught through virtue of a search warrant where 1.03 grams of shabu worth P7,004 were uncovered in his custody.

In Naga City, Angelo Cipres, 52 years old, a resident of Zone 3, Barangay Igualdad, Naga City, was arrested for possesion of 0.84 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P5,712. Also arrested were Marvin Badilla alias Og-Og 24 years old, and Augosto Badilla, 40 years old, both residents of Zone 7, Sagrada Familia, Barangay Peñafrancia, Naga City, for possession of shabu with an estimated value of P10,200 during an entrapment operation.

In the island province of Masbate, a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi) driver identified by the operatives as Michael Camposano, 43 years old, a resident of Real village, Monreal town in Masbate, was also arrested for illegal drugs.

Recovered from Camposano were 16 grams of shabu amounting to P108,000. Camposano was nabbed during a buy-bust at Sitio Cambarong, Poblacion village, Monreal, Masbate.

In Albay province, two were busted after selling 56.5 grams of shabu to police undercover in exchange for the amount of P384,200.00.

They were identified as Rolly Luna Manila, 38 years old, and Melchor Prince Balsarza Millare, 35 years old, both residents of Barangay Maroroy, Daraga, Albay.

Charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being readied against the apprehended persons, Calubaquib said.

The PNP Bicol led by BGen. Rudolph Dimas launched the massive fight against any forms of illegal drugs in the region to continue to strategize and strengthen the advocacy to eliminate the use and sale of illicit drugs in cooperation with Kasimbayanan by utilizing the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA) program.

BIDA is an advocacy program designed to reduce drug demand by empowering communities, engaging them in anti-illegal drug activities, and raising public awareness of the ill effects of drugs to reduce drug proliferation and drug addiction at the community level.