Mandaluyong City condo buy-bust yields at least P600,000 of illegal drugs

January 12, 2018

Ecstasy, in liquid and tablet form and cocaine were seized by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) during a buy-bust operation in a condominium in Mandaluyong City on Thursday.

The suspected ecstasy and cocaine retailer and supplier were arrested as a result of the operation, PDEA said in a statement Friday.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino identified the suspected retailer as Lester  Almalbez, 35 years old, a resident of Unit 410 Princeville Condominium, Mandaluyong City; and Herald Peñaflor, 26, the alleged drug supplier.

Around 9 pm the evening, agents of PDEA-Special Enforcement Service (PDEA-SES) under Director Levi Ortiz arrested Almalbez and Peñaflor following an entrapment operation inside Princeville Condominium.

Confiscated were liquid ecstasy placed inside 20 energy drink bottles, and 1.6 liters of liquid ecstasy, with an estimated street value of P480,000; 70 pieces of ecstasy tablet worth P46,000; and six packs of cocaine worth P140,000.

Total estimated value of illegal drugs seized is P666,000.

“We cannot discount the possibility that a new variety of ecstasy which is blended with cocaine is doing the rounds in bars and clubs. You could imagine its potency compared to the other mainstream drugs,” Aquino said.

PDEA is intensifying its intelligence gathering to arrest unscrupulous elements responsible for this new trend in illegal drug trafficking.

Cases for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed in court against Almalbez and Peñaflor who are presently under the custody of PDEA-SES. DMS