₱16-M marijuana seized in Isabela buy-bust
QUEZON, Isabela – Two high-value drug targets (HVT) were arrested while 130 kilograms of dried marijuana bricks valued at ₱16 million were seized in a buybust operation in Barangay Abut here Saturday.
Police Lt. Col. Andree Abella, Police Regional Office 2 (PRO 2) spokesperson, identified the suspects as Anwar Sindatoc, 54, driver, of Las Piñas City, and Elson Cabunyag, 43, of Port Area, Manila.
The suspects were arrested by the Isabela police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at 10 p.m.
A poseur-buyer arranged the purchase of two bricks of marijuana from the suspects for ₱31,000. However, the suspects fled on board their vehicle when they sensed that they were dealing with authorities.
Authorities chased the suspects who were flagged down by police manning a quarantine checkpoint and arrested.
Recovered from the suspects were boxes and sacks containing marijuana bricks wrapped in a transparent packing tape, one caliber .45 pistol, Colt Mark 4 with serial No. 837816 with one magazine loaded with seven live ammunition, 10 live ammunition for M14, two plastic sachets containing three grams of suspected shabu valued at ₱20,400, assorted identification cards, two cellphones, and the ₱31,000 boodle money.
Abella said that the source of the marijuana could be Kalinga which is near this town.