A STRING of anti-narcotics operations conducted by agents of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) this week resulted in the arrest of 17 suspects and the seizure of nearly P3 million worth of shabu, a report to PNP chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos said on Saturday.

PNP-DEG director, Brigadier Gen. Remus B. Medina said 10 of the suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Cainta, Rizal 6 a.m. Saturday.

The sting conducted by undercover officers of the PNP-DEG Special Operations Unit 4-A with the support of the National Capital Region Police Office Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and the Cainta and Taytay police stations led in the confiscation of some 300 grams of the so-called “poor man’s cocaine” valued at P2.040 million and the boodle money topped by a marked P1,000 bill.

A white Honda City with plate No. NDN 3485 and five mobile phones were also seized by the PNP-DEG during the operation.

Medina identified the 10 arrested suspects as call center agents Marco Angelo Zarate, 46; Twixx Leyson, 30; public utility vehicle drivers Angelito Reyes, 39; Dennis Reyes, 36; Christian Evangelista, 51; Victor Dax Jose, 49; Roderick Rendal, 54; Janeth Salsibar, 51; Marry Lou Cruz, 51; and Allan Garol, 51.

Zarate, Leyson, Reyes, Jose and Garol are all residents of Cambridge Village in Bgy. San Andres, Cainta, Rizal while the rest are residing in different parts of Pasig City.

The two other suspects identified as Don Feljun Ponce, 29, a resident of Bgy. Lamak in Consolacion, Cebu and Randy Negapatan, 33, of Sitio Namanaw in Bgy. Subangdako in Mandaue City were arrested in a sting in Bgy. Danglag in Consolacion municipality 1 p.m. Thursday.

Medina said members of the PNP-DEG SOU7, with the help of the Consolacion Municipal Police Station and the local Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, recovered about 101 grams of shabu worth P688,160 and the buy-bust money topped by a marked P1,000 bill.

He said a Honda Click motorcycle with plate No. 0701-1231868 used by the suspects to transport the drugs was also impounded by his men.

All 12 suspects will be facing non-bailable charges for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The five other suspects arrested last Wednesday and Thursday were the subject of warrants of arrest for violation of RA 9165 issued by different courts, the official said.

One of the three identified as Beverly de Roma, 27, a resident of Bgy. Alangilan in Bacolod City was arrested on orders of Judge Ana Celeste Bemad of the Bacolod City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 44 with a P40,000 bail recommended.

The 2nd, Jayson Pabericio, 27, was arrested in Zone 5, Bgy. Barra in Opol, Misamis Oriental on the basis of a non-bailable warrant for violation of RA 9165 issued by Judge Arthur Abundiente of the Cagayan de Oro City Branch 25 last October 25.

The 3rd identified as Danny Daroy, 45, a resident of Purok Lemonsito in Bgy. Mankilan, Tagum City in Davao del Norte was arrested on the strength of a warrant for sale and possession of drugs under RA 9165.

Judge Celestial Aranda-Gonzales of the Tagum City RTC Branch 1 recommended no bail for the liberty of the accused last November 16.

The 4th, Boyben Fabon, a resident of Sitio Kamanggahan in Bgy. Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu was arrested on the strength of a non-bailable warrant for violation of RA 9165 issued by Judge Fruto Teodorico III of the Mandaue City RTC Branch 86 last September 1.

The 5th identified as Mary Unarse, 42, of No. 442 Santol Street in Bgy. 586, Sampaloc, Manila was arrested last Thursday in her residence on the basis of a warrant for violation of RA 9165 issued by Judge Danilo Leyva of the Manila RTC Branch 175 last November 25.

No bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused, Medina said.