Task Force Maharlika key in preventing drug smuggling – PNP
THE presence of Task Force Maharlika operatives on the main road from Allen, Northern Samar to San Ricardo, Southern Leyte has been seen as a major key in preventing criminality and arresting the flow of illegal drugs in the Eastern Visayas region from Metro Manila, the Journal Group learned.
“The Task Force Maharlika is now serving its purpose,” said Police Regional Office 8 director, Brigadier General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the official who conceptualized the activation of the task force last August.
The official particularly referred to the seized 10 blocks of shabu weighing 10.4 kilograms and worth P69 million which were smuggled from the metropolis by a male drug trafficker from Mindanao.
“This case is now under extensive investigation for the filing of appropriate charges against the suspect,” said Brig. Gen. Marbil.
It turned out that agents of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group were conducting anti-car theft operations in Allen, Northern Samar last January 31 when they accidentally intercepted a motorist identified as Mangayao Lapan Mitomara found carrying 10 kilograms of suspected shabu worth P68 million, said PNP-HPG director Brig. Gen. Clifford B. Gairanod.
Members of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 8 under Lieutenant Colonel Ritchie R. Claravall were enforcing the Land Transportation Code of the Philippines and Republic Act 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Law on the national highway in Barangay Jubasan in Allen municipality when they spotted Mitomara not wearing a seatbelt while driving a vehicle.
During questioning, the driver immediately admitted that he was carrying 10 kilos of shabu inside the vehicle and confessed he got the drugs from a source in Quiapo, Manila.
As a result, the suspect was placed under arrest after being apprised of his constitutional rights and brought to the RHPU8 headquarters.
Gen. Azurin commended the PNP-HPG and the PRO8 for scoring the major drug accomplishment through their enhanced partnership with each other.
