R1.4-M marijuana leaves seized from 3 men selling drugs on social media

Police seized some R1.4 million worth of dried marijuana leaves from three men who allegedly were selling illegal drugs on social media. Acting Quezon City Police District director Colonel Ronnie Montejo identified the suspects as John Paulo Flores, 29, of Caloocan City; Ryan Erpelo, 29, of Batangas City; and Kees Van Paul Lorenzo, 34, of Barangay Sta. Lucia, Novaliches, Quezon City.

Montejo said a confidential informant tipped off the police that the trio were selling illegal drugs in a group chat on Facebook.

After validating the report, antinarcotics operatives launched a buybust operation against the suspects in front of a fast food store along Susana Road in Barangay Novaliches Proper, Novaliches, Quezon City at around 8:40 p.m.

A police poseur buyer purchased R 40,000 from the suspects. After the deal, policemen waiting nearby quickly nabbed the trio and confiscated two bricks and dried marijuana leaves worth R240,000 packed in a plastic bag.

Police also seized a cellphone, a motorcycle, and marked money.

During investigation, Lorenzo confessed to probers and told them the location of his remaining stocks of dried marijuana which he kept at his house.

A joint follow-up operation was then launched at around 2 a.m. on Friday at Lorenzo’s house along Maximo Drive in Barangay Sta. Lucia.

Police found 12 kilos of dried marijuana leaves worth R1,440,000 inside a parked Hyundai Starex van.

Authorities also recovered a small bottle containing undetermined quantity of marijuana oil.

The suspects are now detained and are facing charges for the violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, while the confiscated illegal drugs were turned over to the QCPD Crime Laboratory Office.