Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet: As part of the campaign of the PNP Cordillera to totally stop the transportation of marijuana in the region, an estimated 2.4 million worth of marijuana bricks were recovered while two local tourist marijuana carrier were arrested at Sitio Betwag, Caponga, Tublay, Benguet at around 2:15 PM of November 20, 2020.
Prior to the incident, Personnel of Tublay MPS were conducting COVID19 Quarantine Checkpoint when a white Nissan Van bearing plate number NFW 7312 driven by Jevie Malipot Pabia, 34 y/o, resident of Brgy Zone 4, Dasmarinas Cavite with his passenger Rommel Manuel Barrientos, 39 y/o, resident of Summer wind 3, Salitran 3, Dasmarinas, Cavite was approaching, when suddenly they make a U-turn upon noticing the checkpoint. However, they were stopped and the operatives asked their Travel Authority which reveals that their travel pass is limited within the municipality of La Trinidad only. It was also known that both occupants came from Bakun, Benguet bound for Cavite.
Further, during inspection, Barrientos suddenly moved to the second seat of the van trying to hide something by covering a black garbage bag prompting the police to order him to alight from the vehicle and open the side door of the van. The K-9 handler conducted paneling with the use of K-9 narcotic dogs that led in the discovery and confiscation of 20 pieces of Marijuana leaves in tubular form weighing a total of 20 kilos with an estimated dangerous drug value of Php2.4 million.
Both suspects together with the confiscated contrabands are now under the custody of Tublay MPS for proper disposition, while illegal drugs-related charges will be filed against them.
Moreover, suspects are now listed as newly identified High Value Target (HVI) of PROCOR.
The operation is part of the continuing efforts to stop transporting illegal drugs outside and inside the region.
PROCOR Regional Director RWIN SA PAGKALINAWAN ordered all police units to be alert and firm because drug suspects are now taking advantage of the situation thinking that the police are lax in conducting checkpoints.
“Even with the ongoing health crisis and calamity, our anti-illegal drugs operations will continue without let-up and will be unrelenting as ever,” he added.(PROCOR RPIO)
