41 drug traffickers arrested in 'One Time Bigtime' operation

MANILA, Philippines - The Southern Police District’s (SPD) “One Time Bigtime” operation on Wednesday night led to the arrest of 41 suspects for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

According to the SPD, 16 sachets containing suspected shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride were also seized from those arrested.

Also seized during the operation were an M-16 rifle, a submachine gun, three sub machinegun magazines, a magazine for an M-16 rifle, a .38 caliber revolver, a homemade shotgun, 13 rounds for a 9 mm pistol and an ice pick.

The SPD also reported that Wednesday’s operation also led to the arrest of 32 other suspects for various criminal offenses and the recovery of 63 motorcycles which were reported as stolen.

The One Time Bigtime operation is a brainchild of the PNP Lambat Sibat that aims to intensify the reduction of crime rates in areas of most concern. It also strengthens the coordination of stations and its units. 

"Once again it had proven its mighty fist in solving criminalities. It has resulted favorably and contributed to lessen the crime rates in hotspot areas," said Southern Police District Acting District Director Chief Superintendent Henry Ranola Jr.

"One Time Bigtime is another example of how the PNP and its personnel maximize its potential and exert all efforts to stop criminality not only in our district but in our country as a whole," added Ranola.

Ranola said the SPD's stations in Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Taguig and Pateros including its District Special Operation Unit (DSOU) were ordered to apprehend persons with standing warrant of arrests, violators of city or municipal ordinances, recover motorcycles and motor vehicles, confiscate firearms, seize drugs and other items or drug paraphernalia and deadly weapons.

Each police station said Ranola formed a team with elements from their respective Station Intelligence Section (SIS), anti-drugs, anti-car theft and augmentation from District Headquarters led mainly by the DSOU. Shown is the breakdown of accomplishments of DSOU and the seven police stations.

Ranola said those arrested with standing arrest warrants will be turned over to the court of origin for proper disposition. 

"The others arrested will be subjected to inquest proceedings for them to be filed with the necessary charges," said Ranola.