Four alleged drug suspects arrested in Taguig

April 26, 2019

Four alleged drug suspects were arrested in an anti-illegal drug operation on Friday where P1.1 million worth of shabu were confiscated.

Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region director, said a joint operation was conducted by NCRPO- Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, Taguig City Police Station and Philippine Drug Enforcement Unit around 12:30am at C6 Road, Barangay Napindan in Taguig City.

The operation was hatched from information given by a civilian informant resulting in the arrest of four drug suspects, confiscation of P1.1 million suspected shabu and contraband.

Eleazar said casing and surveillance were done for months against the criminal gang.

“Our Regional Drug Enforcement Unit together with Taguig City Police Station conducted a buy bust operation after their surveillance and case build up against a criminal gang not just involved in illegal drugs but also responsible on the firearms they have,” he told reporters after the operation.

Arrested suspects were identified as Joseph Marcelo, 41,; Kerwin Bustos, 32,; Anthony Cruz, 41, and Robert Saligan, 40.

Eleazar said they have confiscated a total of 165 grams of suspected shabu with street value of P1,122,000, two hand guns loaded with ammunitions, one hand grenade and two weighing scale.

“We are looking at these kind of groups as election is already near so aside from their involvement in illegal drugs, they can also be hired,” said Eleazar.

Evidences were brought to RDEU office and will be subjected for technical examination before the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory Office.

Investigation revealed that the arrested suspects are members of a criminal gang engaged in the illegal drug trade listed in the Southern Police District illegal drug watch list.

The suspects have been previously arrested and charged before the Courts of Makati and Taguig City for the past 2 years for the same offense, but their cases were repeatedly dismissed.

“Their arrests proves our intensified campaign against illegal drugs. We are verifying the source of this illegal drugs so that we can conduct follow-up operations,” said Eleazar.

He said they will investigate on why their previous cases have been dismissed.

Suspects will face charges for violation of Section 5, 11 and 26 of RA 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, RA 10591 or Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and RA 9516 or Illegal possession of explosives in relation to Omnibus Election Code and Comelec Gun Ban. Ella Dionisio/DMS