CIDG men seize P4M in shabu

About P4-million worth of shabu was seized by the police from three suspected drug couriers in Caloocan City during an entrapment operation last Tuesday afternoon.

In a report to Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Chief Superintendent Francisco Zubia Jr, the suspects were identified as Harizon Maguinda, 27, his wife, Myka, 26, and Myrna Falip, 49, all residents of 79 Mutya Street, Payatas B, Quezon City.

According to the police, the three suspects acted as "couriers" of a bigtime Chinese druglord operating in the Caloocan City, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (CAMANAVA) area. The source of the two kilos of shabu was not identified.

The arrest came after a team from the CIDG’s Detection and Special Operations Office under Superintendent Eduardo Acierto conducted a buy-bust operation along 6th Avenue, Grace Park, Caloocan City at around 4:30 p.m.

Team leader Senior Inspector Leo Francisco said his undercover agents had arranged an entrapment of the Maquindra couple who acted as middlemen.

Once the illegal drugs were delivered, police pounced on the couple, who was accompanied by Falip, during the operation.

Acierto said drug charges are being readied against the three suspects, who are detained at the CIDG detention cell.

Meanwhile, a fireman from Pangasinan and 14 others were arrested and 71 grams of shabu worth P75,000 were seized in an intensified anti-drugs drive waged by the Mandaluyong City police since Tuesday night.

Superintendent Jose Gentiles, Mandaluyong City police chief ordered the all-out drive amid reports that bigtime drug pushers are poised to flood the city with illegal drugs during the Christmas season.

"It had been customary for the drug trade to increase during the Christmas season because they have more buyers," said Gentiles. "Drug dependents have more money to spend for drugs during the holidays and there are a lot of parties and pot sessions."

According to Gentiles, the street value of shabu rose to P1,200 from its earlier price of P1,000.

Gentiles dispatched his men to the house of Jhoana Lobotap, 24, at 36 Welfareville Compound, Barangay Addition Hills, after being tipped off that a drug deal was underway, at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Lobotap was immediately placed under arrest after handing over a sachet of shabu to PO2 Dominador Tenorio, who acted as a poseur-buyer.

The team headed by SPO4 Edmund Espiritu, of the local police drug enforcement unit (DEU) also arrested Lobotap’s nephew, Aldrin, 20; Ombawa Sangcopan, 35 and Mario de Mita, 41, a fireman from Pangasinan.

Sangcopan, of Barangay Concepcion, Marikina City yielded at least 70 grams of shabu in his right front pants pocket. Sangcopan was believed to be the source of illegal drugs proliferating in Welfareville compound, police said.

Seven hours later, a police team chanced upon a group of male persons conducting a drug session at Evangelista St., Barangay Pleasant Hills and arrested 11 of them. They yielded three small sachets of shabu and drug sniffing paraphernalia.

Gentiles identified those arrested as Melchor Enaje, Rey Paredes, Ramilo Corelan, Jose Ballore, Melvin Gillas, Pedro Nunez, Ian Racasa, Jaime Regalario, Ricardo Castro, Noel Alcala, and Fortunato Salazar.

De Mita denied he was into drugs. He claimed he only paid Lobotap a visit before reporting for work in Pangasinan. All those arrested are presently detained at the city detention center. Aside from Sangcopan, who is facing drug pushing charges, the rest will be charged with possession of illegal drugs.