A TOP drug trafficking suspect in Eastern Visayas (EV) was arrested by agents of the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) in a buy-bust operation in Tacloban City on Wednesday afternoon, which led to the seizure of an estimated P500,000 worth of shabu, PRO8 Director Brigadier General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil said.

The suspect, alias “Manok”, a 29-year-old lending collector residing in Barangay 43-B, Quarry, Tacloban City was arrested during a sting in Bgy. 6 in Magsaysay Boulevard around 2:55 p.m. Wednesday, said the PRO8 director in a report to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr.

“We have arrested a high-value individual in Eastern Visayas who has long been on our radar for his involvement in big-time illegal drug trafficking activities in the region, specifically in Tacloban City,” Marbil said.

Recovered from the suspect’s possession were two plastic sachets of shabu valued at P500,000, the buy-bust money, and an unlicensed caliber .38 revolver with four live ammunition.

The suspect’s motorcycle was also impounded at the Tacloban City Police Station.

Marbil said that undercover officers conducted the buy-bust operation from the Tacloban CPS Drug Enforcement Unit led by Lt. Anthony Amora, a team from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) Region 8 led by Lt. Barry Baluyot, and the Sta. Fe Municipal Police Station under Capt. Proven Troy Castro.

The PRO8 director said that the suspect will be facing non-bailable charges for selling and possessing prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and RA 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon