A ROUTINE anti-carnapping operation by agents of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group along the Maharlika Highway in Catbalogan City, Samar led to the interception of a drug courier found transporting 15 kilograms of shabu worth P102 million last Holy Wednesday, PNP-HPG director Brig. Gen. Eleazar P. Matta said yesterday.

“We have achieved a major breakthrough in the campaign against crime with this major drug arrest and seizure,” the official said.

In a report to PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the PNP-HPG director said that members of the Western Samar Provincial Highway Patrol Team were conducting a “vehicle spotting” on Maharlika Highway in Bgy. New Mahayag in Catbalogan City around 11:55 a.m. last Wednesday when they flagged down a suspicious vehicle.

While being investigated for violation of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, the driver identified only as alias “Toper,” a 41-year-old resident of Naga City, Cebu began acting suspiciously, prompting the HPG operatives to suspect he was hiding something.

A further inspection of the suspect’s vehicle led to the discovery of 15 plastic packets containing 15 kilos of suspected shabu worth P102 million.

The PNP-HPG has sought the help of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the local police in investigating the suspect and his main drug supplier.

The suspect will be facing non-bailable charges for possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon