P2-M hashish in bus seized

More than P2 million worth of high-grade marijuana resin or hashish was seized by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) personnel at a bus terminal in Quezon City yesterday.

An estimated 750 grams of hashish was hidden in an old television set sent through the Coda Lines Corp. from Mountain Province, PDEA chief Aaron Aquino said.

Hashish, which is more potent than marijuana leaves, sells for P2,800 a gram compared to dried Kush marijuana leaves, which sell for P1,500 per gram.

The package was addressed to Apollo Arnaiz but was not picked up at the bus terminal for two days, prompting officials to call police.

Aquino said syndicates are using public utility vehicles to transport illegal drugs from the provinces.

He said they want stricter regulation of package deliveries.

2 slain in shootouts

Two reported pushers were killed in alleged shootouts with police during drug stings in Manila and Pateros since Thursday night.

Joseph Macato, alias Erap, was declared dead on arrival at the Sta. Ana Hospital following the drug bust staged at his home on Posadas street at past 1 a.m. yesterday.

Thirteen sachets of shabu and a .38 caliber revolver were recovered from the suspect.

In Pateros, Marlon Bautista, 30, allegedly started shooting after sensing he was dealing with lawmen in Barangay Sta. Ana Thursday night. He was linked to robberies in Pateros and Makati.

Three sachets of shabu, a .38 caliber revolver, four .38 caliber and five 9mm bullet casings and two .38 caliber bullets were recovered from the crime scene.

Courier caught

In Parañaque, alleged courier Jeah Gicoso was arrested as she was supposed to deliver 500 grams of shabu, with a street value of around P3.4 million, at a mall parking lot last Thurdsday.

Gicoso told police poverty drove her to deliver drugs and she earned P10,000 per delivery.

In Manila, Kim Carlo Gonzales and his girlfriend Julia Celine Santos were arrested and at least P2 million worth of party drugs seized from them during a sting in Blumentritt Thursday night.

Police seized more than 800 ecstasy tablets, 1,000 milliliters of liquid ecstasy, 18.5 grams of cocaine and a sachet of marijuana from the suspects.

Two others were also arrested in separate anti-drug operations: tricycle driver Jonathan Martelino in Makati and Gemma Juliano in Marikina.