P3.4 million of illegal drugs seized in Manila

August 7, 2019

An estimated P3.4 million worth of illegal drugs were seized by authorities in Manila early Wednesday morning.

In a buy-bust operation by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency ( PDEA) around 1:45 am, they were able to arrest three suspects at the parking  area of  Harbor Square located across Cultural Center of the Philippines  Complex (CCP).

The suspects were identified as Graciano Rombo, 34, ; Roderick Pisig, 35,  and Alican Pagayaw, 31,  who got arrested after receiving  marked money from undercover agents.

The NCRPO chief, Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, said the suspects were being used as drug couriers.

"These three (suspects) are being used as courier of illegal drugs here. With their arrest, we gathered information that can be used for case build-up and eventually, we are hoping that this will result to more operations against other members of the group," said Eleazar.

The transaction was supposed to be a condominium in Paranaque City but because it's near the NCRPO headquarters and from the origin of their supply in undisclosed place in Cavite, the suspects changed their plans and venue of their meeting.

As monitored, Eleazar said illegal drugs were being delivered to big drug pushers in their condominium units as they use it as safehouses and hideouts to avoid their illegal activities from being detected due to tightened security  of the establishment.

He recalled that there were successful anti-illegal drug operations conducted before in the Metro Manila condominiums. 

"With the cooperation of the condominium managements, we were able to conduct buy-bust operation that resulted in the arrest of drug personalities," said Eleazar.

Authorities confiscated a total of five transparent plastic ice pack containing 100 grams of white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu with street value of  P 3,400,000; marked  money amounting to P250,000; two cellphones and their vehicle. 

Suspects will face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.  Ella Dionisio/DMS