Courier yields 3 kilos of shabu

Operatives of the Western Police District (WPD) have seized three kilos of shabu with a street value of P6 million from a man suspected of being a drug courier for big-time crime syndicates in Metro Manila.

The suspect, identified as Jeffrey Andripa, 25, as well as the three plastic bags of shabu was presented to Manila Mayor Lito Atienza yesterday by WPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong and Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr., chief of the WPD-Anti Illegal Drugs unit.

Based on intelligence reports, Andripa, a resident of Purok 14 Padros Compound in Barangay Sun Valley, Paranaque City, recently made at least five successful deliveries of illegal drugs in Manila.

Andripa was arrested shortly after a buy-bust operation along Remedios street in Ermita, Manila last Saturday.

After the arrest, Andripa’s vehicle, a black Toyota Corolla (HCY-888), was also confiscated by the anti-drug operatives, Pedrozo said.

Pedrozo noted that the suspect was placed under surveillance following intelligence reports that he was a major source of prohibited drugs.

Andripa admitted taking part in three deliveries, but Pedrozo believes the suspect has been in the drug trade for quite some time.

Police filed charges of delivery, transportation and sale of illegal drugs against Andripa.

The inquest prosecutor recommended no bail against Andripa.

Meanwhile, operatives of the WPD general Assignments Section arrested three women, identified as Concepcion Borsil, 36; Rhama Hamza, 27; and Marlyn Varnes, 39 during an anti-gambling operation in Sta. Cruz last Sunday.

Confiscated from the suspects during the raid were a video karera machine, 20 grams of suspected shabu, a shotgun, six homemade caliber .38 revolvers, one hand grenade and assorted ammunition.

Police said the repacked illegal drugs, firearms and explosives were concealed inside a wooden box discovered behind the video karera machine.

During interrogation, Borsil pointed to a certain "Alan" as the owner of the guns and explosives and Hamza as her supplier of the illegal drugs. She said Alan entrusted her with the guns and ammunition for her to sell. She also volunteered to lead police to the whereabouts of Alan.

WPD-GAS commander Chief Inspector Arturo Paglinawan said he believes the firearms and ammunition are part of the firearms-for-shabu swap deal. Investigators are also determining if the guns were used in several holdup and robbery incidents. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Nestor etolle