Trike driver nabbed in Taguig drug sting
AUTHORITIES seized more than P.8 million worth of shabu from a tricycle driver working as drug peddler during a buy-bust operation Thursday evening in Taguig City.
Southern Police District Director P/BGen. Jimili Macaraeg said Musalik Balakanen, alias ‘Panda,’ 28, tricycle driver and resident of Lower Bicutan, was arrested at around 11:30 p.m. along Road 16, Maguindanao St. Lower Bicutan following a drug sting conducted by operatives Taguig City police.
Macaraeg said the buy-bust operation was conducted following an information received by Taguig police chief P/Col. Celso Rodriguez that Balakanen, who was working as tricycle driver, was involved in selling illegal drugs in New Lower and Upper Bicutan, including Central and South Signal Village.
Lawmen seized from the suspect a total of 130.3 grams of shabu with standard drug price of P886,040, P5,000 cash believed to be proceeds of his drug trade and P1,000 marked money utilized as buy-bust money.
The arrested suspect is charged for selling and possession of illegal drugs in violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, when he was presented for inquest proceedings before the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office.
“Batid natin ang hirap ng sitwasyon na dulot ng COVID-19 ngunit hindi katanggap-tanggap na gumawa tayo ng labag sa batas upang maiahon ang ating pamilya sa kahirapan. Sa ating mga kababayan huwag po tayong masilaw sa perang nagmumula sa illegal na paraan,” Macaraeg said.
