By Alexandria San Juan
At least P1.7 million worth of shabu were seized from three alleged big-time illegal drug peddlers during a buy-bust in a condominium in Quezon City Monday before dawn.
Arrested during the anti-illegal drug operation were Emilyn Luna, 35, a resident of Barangay Tatalon, Zainodin Encio, 45, of Barangay Sto. Cristo, and Mark Mercado, 33, of Barangay Vasra.
Police Major Bernardo Pascua, chief of Quezon City Police District's Galas Police Station (PS-11), said Encio was previously arrested for illegal drug case while Luna was included in their drug watch list.
According to Pascua, their team was tipped off by a concerned citizen on the illegal activities of Luna prompting them to put her under surveillance.
Upon confirming her involvement in illegal drug selling, joint operatives of PS-11 and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of Northern Metro Manila District Field Unit set a drug deal against her.
An undercover police posed as a buyer and transacted with Luna and Encio inside a room of a condominium located on the corner of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya Streets in Barangay Sto. Cristo at about 3 a.m.
The officer purchased from the duo sachets of shabu worth P5,000 resulting in their arrest.
Mercado, who was also caught in the act buying shabu from the suspects, was also nabbed by authorities.
Operatives were able to confiscate from the group 250 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P1.7 million, the buy-bust money and two mobile phones which police said were used in their illegal drug deals.
Cases of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the arrested suspects at the Office of the City Prosecutor.
While confiscated pieces of evidence were turned over to the QCPD Crime Laboratory Office