The suspect, an alleged ‘big-time’ drug pusher, during the inventory report after the formal drug operation in Bgy. Buenavista, Gen. Trias, Cavite. Photo by Dennis Abrina
DEG agents nab HVT drug suspect, ‘PNP-issued’ gun, P6.8M shabu seized
PHILIPPINE National Police’s (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) Director Brigadier General Narcisco D. Domingo, on Thursday, said they are investigating why a “high-value target” (HVT) in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region was found with a “PNP-issued” gun when he was arrested in a sting in Cavite which yielded a kilo of shabu worth P6.8 million.
“We’re checking with the PNP Directorate for Logistics why the arrested suspect was in possession of a PNP-issued firearm,” said the PNP-DEG director.
In a report to PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., the official said that the suspect from Maguindanao was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Buenavista, General Trial City in Cavite.
Domingo said that members of the DEG Special Operations Unit 4-B led the anti-narcotics operation with the support of the Cavite Police Provincial Office’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the General Trias City Police Station.
According to the police, the suspect was also under surveillance for a few days before the operation was carried out.
The PNP-DEG director said that recovered from the possession of the suspect were a kilo of the so-called “poor man’s cocaine” valued at P6.8 million, the buy-bust money, a caliber .9mm semi-automatic Beretta pistol with “PNP” markings, two magazines with 11 pieces of live 9mm ammunition, and a small weighing scale.
The record of the firearm is also being checked by the PNP-DEG with the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office.
Domingo said that the suspect is now facing non-bailable charges for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013. By Alfred Dalizon and Dennis Abrina
