TWO suspected high value drug couriers were arrested in Benguet, while police confiscated an estimated P2.4 million worth of marijuana bricks last week.
The Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR) report said personnel of Tublay Municipal Police Station flagged down a white passenger van driven by Jevie Malipot Pabia and his passenger Rommel Manuel Barrientos, both from Dasmarinas, Cavite. The two tried to avoid the check point in Sitio Betwag, Caponga, Tublay, Benguet.
Police said the suspects, who came from Bakun, were approaching the checkpoint when they suddenly made a U-turn but was later on stopped.
When asked of their travel authority, the two showed their quarantine pass, which was limited within the Municipality of La Trinidad only.
During inspection, Barrientos tried to cover a black garbage bag, prompting police to order him to alight from the vehicle and open the side door of the van.
Police, together with a K-9 dog, then discovered 20 pieces of marijuana leaves in tubular form, weighing at least 20 kilos with an estimated dangerous drug value of P2.4 million.
Both suspects together with the confiscated contrabands are now under the custody of Tublay police for proper disposition, while illegal drugs-related charges will be filed against them.
Both suspects are now listed as newly identified High Value Target of PRO-COR.
Brigadier General R'win Pagkalinawan, PRO-COR regional director, said the operation is part of the continuing efforts to stop transporting illegal drugs outside and inside the region.
Pagkalinawan also ordered all police units to be alert and firm because drug suspects are now taking advantage of the situation, thinking that the police are less strict in conducting checkpoints.
"Even with the ongoing health crisis and calamity, our anti-illegal drugs operations will continue without let-up and will be unrelenting as ever," he added. (SunStar Baguio)