BAUKO, Mountain Province August 24 – Combined police operatives and anti-narcotics agents arrested three suspected marijuana couriers after being caught allegedly transporting more than P1.93 million worth of marijuana in a drug interdiction operation at a police checkpoint located in sitio Malupa, Abatan, here, recently.
Citing reports submitted to PRO Cordillera Regional Director, PBGEN DAVID K PEREDO, JR., the arrested suspects were identified as Christian Rico Navas Espirito Santo, 25; Alex Francisco Santos, 25; and John Paul Jungkin De Leon, 24, who are all residents of Theresa, Rizal.
Earlier, joint operatives from the different units of Mt Province Police Provincial Office (PPO), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Cordillera (PDEA) Mountain Province, Regional Intelligence Division (RID), Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU)-14, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Mountain Province immediately conducted checkpoint operation after receiving information about three individuals who would be transporting marijuana products from Buscalan, Kalinga to the province of Ilocos.
During their arrest, operatives found and confiscated sixteen (16) pieces of dried Marijuana leaves in brick form weighing 16,165 grams, worth P 1, 939, 800.00, and 1 black self-sealing plastic bag containing Marijuana Kush weighing MOL 3.5 grams with an estimated value of P4,200 inside the suspects’ car.
The confiscated pieces of evidence were inventoried on-site in the presence of the arrested suspects and witnessed by a DOJ representative, Prosecutor Clifford Langbis, Mr. Daryle Fayofay, media representative, and Kagawad Lydia Dino of barangay Abatan.
Subsequently, after the arrest, the suspects were brought to Bauko MPS where charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) are being prepared against them, while the vehicle used by the suspects is currently under the custody of PDEA. By Dexter A. See
