PDEA: 5 of 12 top drug pushers in Ilocos nabbed

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - Five of the 12 people included in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency's (PDEA) list of notorious drug pushers in Ilocos region have already been arrested.

Bismark Bengwayan, spokesperson of PDEA Region 1, said that the fifth suspect -- 58 year old Nestor Costales -- was cornered at the Sta. Maria public market in Maynganay in the said town during a sting operation on Thursday.

Bengwayan said Costales was caught selling 12 sachets of shabu valued at P6,000.00 to PDEA agents.

Bengwayan said the shabu were ready for distribution to the suspect’s clientele because they were neatly packed.

Bengwayan said that Costales is included in the PDEA's "priority target list."

“We are confident that we will catch all of them before the year ends” PDEA-Region 1 Director Jeffrey Tacio said, referring to the seven more men listed as priority targets.

Charges for violations of sections 5 and 11 of Article II of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act will be filed against Costales.