100 kilos of marijuana seized in Quezon City raids

Five people were arrested and over 100 kilos of marijuana were seized yesterday afternoon in a series of raids conducted by joint elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF).

The raids took place at 70 Lorraine St., Parkway Subdivision, Barangay Apolonio Santos, Quezon City at around 3 p.m. yesterday.

CIDG chief Director Jesus Verzosa identified the suspects as Elvira Gonzaga, Loreto Gumawid, Ricardo Royo of Romblon, Boni Deza, and Rosemarie Ballos, both of Zamboanga City.

"The seized weeds cost more than P500,000. People started to use marijuana after the government intensified the campaign against shabu, which is said to be getting scarce," he added.

Joint elements of the CIDG and AIDSOTF, under Director Marcelo Ele Jr., conducted a series of operations following a buy-bust in Marikina which led to the arrest of a certain Cleofas, who sold one-fourth kilo of dried marijuana.

Cleofas admitted that the illegal drug was being supplied to her by people from Quezon City. She said her source was a certain Gumawid, who was also arrested several hours later in Quezon City.

During interrogation, Gumawid agreed to escort the lawmen to an apartment in Quezon City where the 100 kilos of marijuana were being kept. The police then arrested the other three suspects who were at the apartment.

Charges of violating the Dangerous Drugs Act were filed against the suspects before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. — Cecille Suerte Felipe