High-grade marijuana seized in Mandaluyong
Almost P400,000 worth of “kush” or high-grade marijuana were confiscated from six individuals, including a woman, in a mall in Mandaluyong City during a buy-bust operation led by the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 5 on Saturday evening.
The suspects were identified as Michael Dankin, 26, of No. 71, Paraiso Street, Mandaluyong City; Andrei Daniel Pilapil,19, of 8C, ROTC Street, Rosario, Pasig City; Tyron James Reyes, 18, of Block 5 Lot 9, Sta. Lucia, Bliss, Pasig City; Jhon Anthony Padua, 21, of No. 49 A, E. Rodriguez Street, Quezon City; Rona Andrade, 20, of No. 7898, San Sebastian, Nagpayong, Pasig City; and, Vance SomeraSison, 30, from Quezon City.
Police were able to arrest the suspects after their successful purchase of over 200 grams of “kush” worth P378,000 from them.
Initial report revealed that the suspects transacted with patrons, mostly college students, via online.
It was learned that the capital they used to finance their sale of said illegal drugs came from the unregistered investment company they put up.
Moreover, the suspects sourced “kush” abroad.
The suspects are now detained, facing charges for violating the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (Ria Fernandez)
Grab driver involved in illegal drug peddling arrested during drug sting in QC apartelle
A Grab driver involved in illegal drug peddling allegedly swallowed some evidences after he was arrested by the police during a drug sting inside an apartelle in Quezon City Sunday night.
Quezon City Police Station 7 chief, Supt. Giovanni Caliao, identified the arrested suspect as Kristofer Gavino, 35, a resident of Sampaloc, Manila.
Prior to his arrest, Gavino has been under police surveillance for months after being tagged as a newly identified drug personality who is using and selling illegal drugs within Cubao area.
Police report showed that an undercover cop purchased P500 worth of shabu from Gavino inside a room of an apartelle on P. Tuazon Boulevard in Barangay San Roque at around 9 p.m.
After the transaction, responding authorities immediately collared Gavino.
Senior Insp. Ramon Aquiatan, head of PS-7 Drug Enforcement Unit, said in an interview Gavino alleged to have swallowed undetermined amount of shabu upon learning that he was dealing with a police poseur-buyer.
With this, operatives were only able to recover nine small heat-sealed sachets of shabu, the marked money, and a mobile phone.
Gavino is now under police custody and will be charged for selling and possession of dangerous drugs.
Meanwhile, Grab Philippines Public Affairs head Leo Gonzales said in a statement that Gavino was automatically deactivated from their platform, adding that they "will not take things like this lightly."
"Grab does not tolerate any criminal activity by any of our partners. We will fully cooperate with any investigation through our security and safety team," Gonzales stated.
Upon confirmation, Gonzales said the suspect will be "perpetually banned" and will be blacklisted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board which will prevent him from driving any public utility vehicle.
"We will conduct further investigation internally and see if the operator has any liability. Grab will not take things like this lightly. The safety of our passengers and drivers is of utmost importance," he added. (Alexandria San Juan)
EPD cops tested negative during surprise drug test
Eastern Police District (EPD) cops tested negative during the recent surprise drug test held at EPD Headquarters in Pasig City.
Chief Supt. Bernabe Balba, EPD district director, told Manila Bulletin that he is “happy” with the result of the test.
“It is a very positive sign that we have chosen the right people and they (policemen) are free from illegal drugs. Masaya (I’m happy) because they adhere to our call and guidance,” Balba said.
On Tuesday, 142 policemen from the District Drug Enforcement Unit, Intelligence Unit and Special Operation Unit were gathered at the headquarters for a supposed conference.
However, in the middle of the conference, members of EPD Crime Laboratory arrived and conducted a surprise drug test. Policemen were not allowed to leave unless they undergo the test.
Balba said last week that the district conducts random drug tests to ensure that policemen under his command are drug-free.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar ordered the heads of the metro police districts in earlier this month to intensify the random drug testing of police personnel.
This was after the arrest of a Manila Police District (MPD) rookie cop for alleged possession of illegal drugs at a night club in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on October 31. (Jhon Aldrin Casinas)
Tricycle driver shot dead in Malabon
A tricycle driver was gunned down by an unidentified assailant in Malabon City on Sunday evening.
Police identified the victim as Virgilio Cardenas, 46, resident of Jacinto Street, Marulas, Valenzuela City.
Police said Cardenas' live-in partner last saw him at around 7 p.m. leaving a tricycle terminal in Valenzuela.
He then reportedly left his tricycle to a friend.
When he reached an alley along Sitio 6, Barangay Catmon, Malabon City, he was shot on the head by unidentified assailants.
Police said this killing might be drug-related after investigation disclosed that Cardenas was previously arrested for violating Section 5 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. He was acquitted later on.
Police added that the victim was not included in their drug watch list.
Retrieved from the victim were four sachets of suspected shabu.
Four empty caliber .45 cartridges and two deformed caliber .45 bullets were also recovered from the crime scene.
Further investigation is underway. (Minka Tiangco)
Former MPD top cop is now new NPD director
Police Chief Supt. Rolando Anduyan, former top cop of the Manila Police District (MPD), assumed the post of new Northern Police District (NPD) director on Monday afternoon.
He succeeded Police Chief Supt. Gregorio Lim, who has retired from office on Friday, Nov. 16.
In an interview with reporters, Anduyan said he will continue the fight against illegal drugs in the Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela (Camanava) area.
He said he has no concrete plans yet as he still needs to assess the situation in Camanava.
"Magbibigay lang ng suporta kasi magagaling naman ang mga CoP dito (I will just give support because the chiefs of police here are good)," he said.
Anduyan also denied allegations that he was transferred to the northern metro after only five months as MPD director was because of the issues plaguing the district.
Last month, a rookie cop from MPD was accused of raping the daughter of two drug suspects. A few days later, another policeman was arrested for using party drugs in a Taguig night club.
"Matagal na naming plinano (We had my transfer planned for a long time already)," he said.
Anduyan has formerly served as the Deputy District Director for Operations at NPD from 2015 to 2016.
He also became chief of police at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
He has garnered awards and recognition after serving as the Joint Task Group PNP commander during the Marawi siege last year. (Minka Tiangco)