Drug enforcers arrest Bigcas for drugs

CONTROVERSIAL car dealer Lynard Allan Bigcas, who was linked to luxury vehicle smuggling last year, was arrested by the Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) early dawn Saturday for illegal possession of prohibited drugs.

Seized from the possession of Bigcas were medium-size transparent sachet believed to be containing shabu (weighing one gram with an estimated value of P4,000), M16 baby armalite, and drug paraphernalia.

Also recovered was a certificate of candidacy (COC) of Bigcas, who is reported to run for mayor of Talakag, Bukidnon.

Bigcas, 42, is a native of Poblacion Barangay 2, Talakag, Bukidnon.

Initial investigation showed that the serial number of the firearm was tampered and undocumented.

PDEA Regional Director Roberto S. Opeña said the arrest of Bigcas was triggered by an accident when his big bike used in a drag race bumped into the van of PDEA men.

PDEA agents were on their way home from the culmination night of PDEA anniversary when the accident happened around 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

“Sumemplang kasi siya sa big bike kaya bumangga sa vehicle namin. Buti na lang nakapag-break kaagad ang driver kundi baka sa ilalim ng
sasakyan siya kukunin,” Opeña told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Bigcas sustained minor injury in his forehead and some bruises in his arms.

With this, Opeña, who at first did not introduce himself as PDEA official, talked to Bigcas and asked if he had a permit from the City Government for the drag race and some other questions.

Bigcas said he had with him some other documents that he left inside his vehicle and proceeded immediately in order to show it to PDEA official.

“Pinasama ko ‘yung dalawang agents, then all of a sudden may commotion at nagsisigaw ‘yung agents na may baril daw so lumapit kaming lahat doon sa vehicle ni Bigcas,” Opeña said.

The commotion caught the attention of Bigcas’s friends and companions thus, they attempted to rescue him. It was then that Opeña introduced himself as PDEA official, resulting to Bigcas’s friends to back off.

While the attention of the PDEA agents were focused on the vehicle of Bigcas, a gray Toyota Hilux bearing plate number KGE-811, where the hot stuffs were taken, came and Bigcas’ friends took the motorbike and ran away.

“Tinakas nila ang motorbike kasi alam nila na walang documents ‘yun at kapag nadala namin, mahihirapan silang bawiin ‘yun,” Opeña added.

Further investigation showed that the Toyota Hilux is registered under the name of Bigcas’ brother.

Bigcas opted not to give any statement about the incident when pressed by this paper.

But according to Opeña, Bigcas confirmed to him that he is indeed using illegal drugs for two years now due to depression after the smuggling issue against him broke out.

“Sabi niya for personal consumption lang talaga niya ‘yung nakuhang shabu. Totoo naman siguro dahil iba na talaga ang hitsura ng Allan Bigcas noon at ngayon, payat na at parang typical na drug addict,” he said.

Bigcas was also brought to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory for drug test.

He is now temporarily detained at PDEA’s mini-cell pending the filing of charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and illegal possession of firearm and ammunitions.

This is Bigcas’ 14th case since he was involved in the alleged smuggling activity, vehicular accident and shooting incident in Davao City where he was charged of frustrated murder by one of the influential political clans in the area.

However, Opeña said that these present cases against Bigcas are all bailable.