OLONGAPO, BATAAN STINGS NET 5 SUSPECTS, P1.18M SHABU

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga – Operatives on Monday arrested five drug suspects and seized some 174.84 grams of suspected shabu worth P1,188,912 in three separate anti-illegal drug operations in Olongapo City and Bataan.

Authorities said two newly-identified “high-value individuals” were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Olongapo City Police Drug Enforcement Unit in Bgy. Sta. Rita. 

Seized were 61.84 grams of suspected shabu valued at P420,512, along with the marked money used in the transaction.

Earlier, two other suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Orani Municipal Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, in Bgy. Tapulao, Orani, Bataan.

Recovered were 51 grams of suspected shabu worth P346,800, the marked money and a mobile phone. 

In a separate sting, personnel of the Mariveles Municipal Police Station, Bataan Provincial Intelligence Unit and Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit arrested another drug suspect in Bgy. Alasasin, Mariveles.

The operation yielded 62 grams of suspected shabu valued at P421,600, a mobile phone, a sling bag and a caliber .45 pistol with a magazine containing two live rounds of ammunition.

Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jess B. Mendez said the successive operations demonstrated the police force’s sustained efforts to disrupt the illegal drug trade through intelligence gathering, coordination and targeted enforcement.

“These operations show what sustained intelligence work, coordination, and focused enforcement can accomplish,” Mendez said, stressing that removing illegal drugs from circulation helps protect families and communities.

The official assured the public that police would continue pursuing individuals involved in the illegal drug trade while ensuring that operations are conducted in accordance with the law.

Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against the arrested suspects.

The suspect apprehended in Mariveles will also face a separate charge for alleged violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, in connection with the recovered pistol and ammunition.