Five illegal drugs couriers were busted in separate anti-illegal drug operations in Mountain Province and Baguio City last week.
The three drug suspects, identified as Wilfredo De Leon Magbanua, Jr., 34 years old; Noli Bendoy Navales, 38; and Mary Grace Nepomoceno Lunas, 34, all from Dasmariñas, Cavite were arrested in a checkpoint at Sitio Finew, Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province on June 21.
The trio was on their way to Cavite when they were intercepted by authorities who discovered from their possession 53 bricks of dried marijuana bricks, weighing 53 kilograms worth P6,360,000.
The Police Regional Office-Cordillera reported the trio was able to obtain a travel pass, medical certificates, and quarantine passes in Dasmariñas, Cavite to allegedly deliver medical supplies to Bontoc, Mountain Province.
This enabled them to go through strict quarantine checkpoints from Cavite to Mountain Province.
Police reported that once in Bontoc, the suspects met with an unidentified individual who drove them to Buscalan, Kalinga where they acquired P6.36 million worth marijuana bricks.
The still unidentified driver abandoned them in Buscalan, forcing the suspects to go back to Bontoc where they were arrested.
Criminal cases are being prepared against the suspects for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. They are also being investigated for possible breach of quarantine protocols.
In Baguio City, two students were arrested for plying P340,000 worth of shabu in a sting operation at Suello Village, Bakakeng Central on June 22.
Police identified the suspects as Holy Elyjam Yango, 20 and Rhona Bell Ticuala, 19, who were caught selling 50 grams of shabu to drug enforcement agents who posed as buyers.
Combined efforts of PDEA-Baguio City and Benguet and Baguio City Police Office Station 10 led to the arrest of the suspects who are facing charges for violation of RA 9165. – Ofelia C. Empian
