P2-M marijuana found in bus TV

ANTI-narcotics operatives seized P2 million worth of high-grade marijuana which was concealed behind a television mounted inside a bus, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said Saturday, June 30.

QCPD Director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr. said operatives of the District Drug Enforcement Unit and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) received information that a box containing marijuana is being shipped to Manila from Bontoc, Mt. Province through a bus operated by CODA Bus Line Corporation.

The box of marijuana was reportedly placed behind the television set inside the bus.

Esquivel said the information prompted the police and PDEA agents to conduct a stakeout operation at the CODA bus terminal in E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue.

At around 11 a.m. of Friday, June 29, the claimant identified as Apollo Anaiz sent a text message to the CODA management and asked them to ship the box back to Bontoc.

Esquivel said Anaiz told the company that he will send the payment for the shipping charges through a money remittance service.

“This prompted the operatives to seize the contraband which was discovered to be high grade marijuana worth more than P2 million,” said Esquivel.

He said investigators were already gathering information to establish the identity of those behind the illegal contraband as well as the possible conspiracy with the bus company. (SunStar Philippines)