Eastern Visayas top drug trader, pal arrested in Leyte buy-bust

TACLOBAN CITY – Police arrested Eastern Visayas’ top regional anti-drug priority target and his alleged cohort in a buy-bust operation in Tolosa, Leyte, on Monday, recovering about 117 grams of suspected shabu valued at P795,600.

Personnel of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 8 (RPDEU-8) and the Tolosa Municipal Police Station conducted the operation in Barangay San Roque.

Police identified the main suspect as alias “Ton-ton,” 32, whom they described as a high-value individual and Rank 1 on the Regional Priority Target List. His alleged cohort, alias “Beng,” 31, was also arrested. Both are residents of Tolosa.

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READ: P40.8-M shabu, guns seized; 3 suspects nabbed in Rizal sting

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Police said the operation resulted in the seizure of four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with a combined estimated weight of 117 grams.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and police commonly use the term “high-value individual” to refer to persons considered priority targets because of their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

The seized suspected shabu was given an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P795,600.

Also recovered during the operation were a revolver, five rounds of live ammunition, buy-bust money, and other non-drug-related evidence.

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Police said the confiscated items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the required witnesses in compliance with Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-8 Regional Director,  credited the operation to increased coordination between regional intelligence units and local police stations.

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“This successful operation is proof of our intensified campaign against illegal drugs. Rest assured that we will further strengthen our operations against criminality, and you can be assured that we will carry out all these efforts fairly, in accordance with the law, and with respect for human rights,” he said.

READ: PNP: P60-M drugs found in parcels at Pasay City mail hub

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The suspects remain in police custody and are expected to face charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165 and Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act./coa