2 NIGERIAN HVIS FALL

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Two Nigerian nationals tagged as “high-value individuals” were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Confiscated from the suspects were suspected marijuana, high-grade marijuana or Kush, and ecstasy tablets worth P104,940.

In a report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, Angeles City police chief Col. Robert Domingo said the latest operation was conducted in Bgy. Balibago by members of the Angeles City Police Drug Enforcement Unit, with support from other police units and in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 3.

Domingo said around 12 grams of suspected dried marijuana, one gram of suspected Kush, and 60 suspected ecstasy tablets with a combined standard drug price of P104,940 were seized from the suspects. Who are both residents of Mabalacat City.

The arrested foreign nationals were brought to the City Police Drug Enforcement Unit office for investigation and were charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The arrests came a day after police apprehended another Nigerian national in the same city and seized 3,510 suspected ecstasy tablets valued at P5.967 million.

Authorities are investigating whether the latest arrests are connected to the previous ecstasy seizure, particularly the possible sources and distribution networks of illegal drugs operating in the area.

According to Mendez, police would pursue leads generated by the successive arrests to identify other personalities and possible drug distribution networks.

“We do not look at an arrest as the end of an operation. Every case gives us information that may lead to other personalities, sources, or distribution networks,” the official said.

“Our units will continue working on these leads and determine whether there are connections that need to be pursued,” he added.

Mendez said PRO3 would continue coordinating with PDEA and other law enforcement units to disrupt illegal drug distribution across Central Luzon.