3 nabbed for drugs, 2 for illegal gambling

THREE drug pushers and two illegal gamblers were collared by the Police Regional Office (PRO) Cordillera.

Police Brigadier General Iphraim Dickson, PRO Cordillera director, lauded the arrest and urged the public to report to cops any criminal activity in their community to pre-empt any possible damage or injury to anyone and for the immediate arrest of law violators.

In successive drug busts, three drug dealers were arrested after they sold sachets of marijuana to police operatives who acted as buyers.

In Baguio City, police arrested Eric Justine Abuan Areola, 18, on May 26. Confiscated from him were two sachets of marijuana.

In Benguet, Junato Wassi Pacio, 21, was arrested, while Lando Alcido Thomas, alias Lando, 43, was caught in Sitio Bubon, Virac, Itogon. Both suspects were held for possession of illegal drugs.

Four sachets of substance believed to be shabu, P1,000 drug bust money, and a cellphone were confiscated from Pacio, while two sachets of shabu, P1,000 and one cellphone were confiscated from the Lando.

The suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, two small-time lottery collectors were arrested in Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet on May 24.

The arrested bet collectors were identified as Ronald Ognayon Cosil, 34, and Jerry Suyam Losnong, 35.

Confiscated from Cosil were P200 cash and assorted gambling paraphernalia, while P2,125 bet money and assorted gambling paraphernalia were confiscated from Losnong.

Police filed a case for violation of Presidential Decree 1602 as amended by Republic Act 9287, against the two bet collectors.