Over P3M ‘ecstasy’ seized in Baguio sting
A JOINT Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) controlled delivery operation in Baguio City on Thursday resulted in the arrest of a 59-year-old woman after she claimed a parcel containing over P3 million worth of the designer drug called ‘Ecstasy,’ PDEA chair Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva said.
The PDEA chief said members of PDEA and the PNP-DEG headed by Brigadier Gen. Remus B. Medina arrested suspect Elise Aguirre Millare during the sting in front of the Bristle Ridge Residences in Ambuclao Road, Bgy. Gibraltar, Baguio City 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
A resident of 26 AB, Sitio Mabilog, New Era, Quezon City, the elderly suspect was placed under arrest after she received a parcel containing 1,783 pieces of Ecstasy tablets valued at P3,031,100 from an undercover officer.
The parcel likewise contained assorted bed sheets and shoes and was shipped by a certain Fostina Abobo of Rommerstrasse 40 41462 Neuss, Germany.
It was consigned to one Joyce San Antonio of Room 101, Bristle Ridge Residences.
Villanueva said Millare was found in possession of an authorization letter purportedly signed by San Antonio as well as the latter’s identification card.
The operation was triggered by an information from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Drug Interdiction Task Group which uncovered the illegal drug shipment following a cursory examination of the parcel.
Medina said a pair of shoes, two bed sheets and four improvised pouches made of duct tape were found inside the parcel. The improvised pouches were used to conceal the drugs, the official said.
It was the latest successful controlled delivery operation undertaken by the PDEA and the PNP under General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar in line with their ongoing war on drugs.
Controlled delivery is a technique used when a consignment of illicit drugs is detected and allowed to go forward under the control and surveillance of law enforcement officers in order to secure evidence against the organizers of such illicit drug traffic.
The arrested suspect will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
