ANTI-NARCOTICS operatives arrested on Thursday, March 5, the alleged “main source” of illegal drugs in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) region.

Suspect Ronnie Mardiquio Manodiado yielded 15 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) worth P102 million when he was arrested during a drug bust at Molino Boulevard corner Aguinaldo Highway, Talaba 4, Bacoor City, Cavite.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Group (PDEA) Director Aaron Aquino said on Friday, March 6, said they also arrested the suspect's alleged cohorts identified as Victorio Vida Najera and Annie Rose Torres Lingua.

“Menodiado, based on our investigation, is the main source of shabu in Cavite and the whole of Region 4A. His group also distributes shabu in NCR areas and in Zamboanga City,” Aquino said.

Aquino said the shabu was packed in tea bags marked with Chinese characters.

Aquino said drug syndicates have a new way of distributing illegal drugs.

Under this new modus operandi, the pusher parks his vehicle at a designated place and leaves it. The supplier then uses a duplicate car key to open the vehicle and put the shabu inside.

The pusher would later retrieve his car with the shabu in it.

“PDEA also noticed that these suspects are frequenting colleges. We are still investigating if they are selling shabu to college students in the region,” said Aquino. (SunStar Philippines)