‘Pushers of the stars’ arrested in Alabang
MANILA -- Anti-narcotics operatives arrested on Friday, May 25, two alleged “high-end” drug pushers who yielded ecstasy tablets and highgrade marijuana, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director Aaron Aquino said Monday.
Aquino said Rajiv Gidwani, an Indian national who allegedly sells illegal drugs to prominent personalities, and Jeremiah Carillo his alleged cohort, were arrested in a drug bust in a posh subdivision in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
He said the suspects sell ecstasy and marijuana to a model, television personality and a politician, among others. The transaction is allegedly conducted in upscale subdivisions. Aquino declined to name the customers.
Aquino said the suspects will face charges of bribery and violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
Authorities also arrested Gidwani’s father Nari, 63 after he tried to bribe the PDEA agents with P1 million in exchange for the release of his son.
Authorities said they recovered ecstasy tablets, high-grade marijuanakush and hashish with an estimated value of P1.07 million from the suspects during the operation.
Also confiscated was a cellular phone containing a video on how to use lysergic acid deithylamide (LSD), a rare kind of illegal drugs allegedly being sourced abroad.
The drug bust was followed by the service of a search warrant in Gidwani’s home, where additional illegal drug paraphernalia were allegedly seized. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)