Nine arrested for selling illegal drugs within vicinity of Malacanang Complex

June 21, 2019

Nine persons were arrested by authorities for being involved in selling illegal drugs within the vicinity of Malacanang Complex, the National Bureau of Investigation ( NBI) said Friday.

In a press conference, NBI Director Dante Gierran said arrested were Rolando Laya, Bryan Jason Batrina, Melvin Santiago, Freddie Nacion Jr, Esperanza Pido, Joan Garcia, Ronnie Gonzales Lao, Sulpicio Cassiler Jr and Leonardo Asa.

The arrests stemmed from three operations stemming from information by the Presidential Security Group ( PSG) that two people were engaged in selling and distributing shabu inside Malacanang Complex.

Gierran said the NBI and the PSG conducted a buy-bust on June 16, paving for the arrest of three suspects who were delivering illegal drugs inside Malacanang compound on June 17.  

Surveillence enabled the NBI and PSG to validate the information other suspects were also engaged in selling illegal drugs.

On the same day, three others were arrested in Paco as the NBI implemented a search warrant at the home of a suspect.

Authorities seized six heat-sealed plastic sachet containing shabu and several used drug paraphernalia.

On the same date, another team of NBI operatives caught three more suspects in a pot session in Paco.  

The suspects were presented before the Manila Prosecutors Office for inquest for violating the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. An additional case was filed by the NBI on Lao for illegal possession of firearms. DMS