FOUR drug suspects yielded over P1 million worth of illegal drugs when they were arrested in a drug bust before dawn Friday, April 26, in Taguig City.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Guillermo Eleazar identified the arrested suspects as Joseph Marcelo, 41, from Barangay Valenzuela, Makati City; Ronald Kerwin Bustos, 32, residing at San Andres Bukid in Manila; Anthony Cruz, 41, a residence of Bagong Calzada Pateros; and Robert Saligan, 40, of Barangay Calzada, Tipas Taguig City.
He said the four were arrested following a buy bust operation around 12:30 a.m. on C6 Road, Barangay Napindan, Taguig City.
The suspects yielded a total of 165 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) with street value of P1.122 million, two hand guns loaded with ammunition, one hand grenade and two weighing scales.
Eleazar said based on initial investigation, the suspects were members of a criminal gang involved in the illegal drugs trade. The gang is on the drug list of the Southern Police District.
He said the suspects have been in and out of detention over their alleged involvement on illegal drugs.
Eleazar said he will order an in-depth investigation to determine the reasons for the dismissal of their previous cases.
"Yung pagtutulak ng iligal na droga, wala dapat bail yan. walang dahilan para makabalik sa komunidad ang mga suspects na yan para makapagtulak pa rin ng droga. Papa imbestigahin ko kung bakit nakakalaya pa mga iyan. Alam natin na itong pagbebenta ng ilegal na droga ay isang magandang negosyo para sa kanila at madali ang pera. Ating alamin kung ginagamitan nitong mga ito ang pera para maabsuwelto sila sa mga kaso nila,” he said.
The arrested suspects and recovered pieces of evidence were brought to RDEU office and will be subjected to technical examination by the PNP Crime Laboratory Office.
Cases for violation of Section 5, 11 and 26 of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), RA 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition) and RA9516 ( Illegal possession of explosives) in relation to the Omnibus Election Code and Comelec Gun Ban are being prepared against the suspects. (SunStar Philippines)