LEGAZPI CITY – Eight suspected drug pushers were arrested and PHP3.8 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in three separate anti-drug operations in Camarines Norte and Masbate on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) reported on Thursday.
Maj. Malu Calubaquib, PRO-5 spokesperson, said the operations were conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional office, Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group, Special Operation Unit 5, and Police Regional Office 5 operatives.
“A drug entrapment operation was conducted on Wednesday, and the arrested were identified as Christiane T. Urbino alias “Pearl”, 37, and Oliver A. Bermel, 36, residents of Basud, Camarines Norte. The suspects are included among the newly identified drug personalities. Taken from their possession and custody were 500 grams of shabu with a total value of PHP3.4 million,” Calubaquib said in an interview.
She also said in Daet town in Camarines Norte, a drug den was dismantled, resulting in the confiscation of 11 pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of shabu weighing 30 grams and with a total value of PHP204,000.
The drugs were “taken from the possession and control of Isagani Hernandez Roson, drug den maintainer, Lyza Galbez Aguilar, Mary Ann Caguimbal Villamora, John Lloyd Arangat Oribiano, and Renan Ranghel Andaya, who are all drug den visitors,” Calubaquib said.
In Barangay Ibingay, Masbate City, one Junie Legal alias “Botchoy” was nabbed Tuesday by the joint operating team of Masbate City Police together with other police units during the implementation of a search warrant.
“Seized from the suspect’s possession were 16 pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets with a total weight of 35 grams worth PHP238,000,” Calubaquib said.
The apprehended persons will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.
Brig. Gen. Rudolph Dimas, PRO-5 regional director, in a statement, said the successful operations resulted from the strong collaboration and partnership of PDEA, PNP-PRO5, and other agencies which enables the government to pursue its purpose in clearing the community from the influence of any forms of illegal drugs.
“These significant feats we have recently attained on our operations is another clear evidence of our stringent efforts in doing our fair share in creating a better community for the people we serve. Thus, we will remain non-stop on this endeavor and shall steadily beef up our program to provide solutions to this social menace which has proven to destroy the lives and the future of the many,” Dimas said. (PNA)
