Over P4.3-M worth of marijuana seized in Kalinga, 8 persons nabbed
Authorities confiscated over 4.3 million pesos worth of marijuana while 8 persons were separately dragged to jail after successful separate anti-illegal drug operations in three provinces of the Cordillera.
The PROCOR regional director said that the confiscation of more or less 36 kgs of drugs amounting to Php4,320,000 seized from two individuals in Mamaga, Bugnay, Tinglayan, Kalinga on the afternoon of May 19, 2020 highlighted the successive operations.
Before the seizure of contraband and arrest of suspects, Rich Vandamme Alegre Armoreda and Martin Serrano were onboard a Mitsubishi Adventure SUV when they were flagged down for verification. Visual search through the windshield resulted in the discovery of suspected marijuana dried stalks and leaves protruding from a sack at the back passenger seat of the vehicle that led to the confiscation of said contraband. Evidence confiscated were 36 pieces of marijuana dried stalks and leaves wrapped with transparent plastic and two (2) apple cellular phones.
Meanwhile, six drug personalities were caught in buy-bust operations after they sold sachets of suspected shabu to police officers who acted as poseur buyers. The peddler Jereliniel Dela Cruz Cabungkal was apprehended in Mamaga, Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet while Leonard Killi Tauli was caught in Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet. Total confiscation were two (2) sachets of suspected shabu, one (1) Cloudfone touchscreen cellular phone, Samsung touch screen cellular phone, Php1,000 buy-bust money, and Php3,000 boodle money.
Other suspects arrested for drug pushing were Maricel Porcioncula, Shannen R Antonio, Joel R Bautista, and Angelito G Banate who were arrested in Purok Mangitit, Camp 7, Baguio City. Along with their arrest is the recovery and confiscation of five (5) small sachets containing suspected shabu, Php8,000.00 buy-bust money; one android cellphone and different drug paraphernalia.
All eight suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.**
