FOURTEEN suspected drug couriers and a pusher were arrested in separate anti-illegal drug operations in Mountain Province and Baguio City by the Police Regional Office–Cordillera (PRO-COR).
The 14 drug couriers including a minor are residents of Tarlac City, captured on September 15 in a checkpoint along Bontoc-Kalinga Road AT Caluttit, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
The suspects were identified as Robert Bautista Sosa, 19; Julius Maynete Carbao, 22; David Kim Tacusalme Ocampo, 23; Miguil Lorente Irieman, 24; Ralph Cabral Basilio, 24; John Paul Avana Calimlim, 24; Jomar Lee Sicat Maynete, 24; Michael Buan Reyes, 26; John David Ibale Tapar, 31; Benjamin Ibale Tapar, 24; Clarisa Bautista, 23; Audie Ramos Galany, 49; Princess Ibale Galany, 37; and a 17–year-old minor.
Evidence confiscated from them were three bricks of dried marijuana leaves weighing 3,000 grams, two rolls of dried marijuana leaves weighing 31 grams, one zip locked dried marijuana leaves weighing one gram, and six grams dried marijuana leaves weighing six grams with an estimated total street value of P364,560.
The suspects were under surveillance after police received information that said individuals were onboard a vehicle proceeding to the said area.
Joint personnel of Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU)/Provincial Intelligence Bureau (PIB), Mt. Province Provincial Police Office (MPPO) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEA) Mountain Province carried out a checkpoint operation that led to their arrest.
Investigation showed they allegedly came from Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga for tattooing.
The suspects however denied ownership of the marijuana found in the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Ismael Abdullah Darang, 23, was arrested by the joint operatives of Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) during a drug bust on September 12 in Bakakeng Central, Baguio City.
Confiscated from his possession were one sachet of shabu worth P16,500, P500 cash and P16,000 boodle money.