THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Friday presented five individuals apprehended for selling cocaine salvaged from the waters off the coasts of Eastern Samar.
The arrest came after PDEA Director Dionisio Santiago ordered his men to “slam the doors of Metro Manila to Samar cocaine.”
PDEA agents confiscated a total of 3.5 kilograms of high-grade cocaine from the suspects who were caught in separate buy-bust operations in Metro Manila.
The suspects were identified as Delia Placiente, Jordan Sorio, Sandy Lucban, Noel Bartolome, and PO1 Rodelio Rania.
“It is sad to note that despite our continuous appeals and warnings to the public, there are individuals who still risk being arrested by keeping and selling the recovered Samar-cocaine,” the PDEA Chief said.
“We have arrested hard-core dealers here, like the police officer and his cohort,” said Santiago, referring to Rania and Bartolome who were arrested in Pasay City. “And there were Sorio and Lucban who had guts to transact illegal business in front of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.”
Santiago reiterated the agency’s warning the possession of illegal drugs is already a criminal offense.
“As we have told you again and again: it is not worth risking your entire life in jail if you get caught," he concluded. (VR/Sunnex)