By Minka Tiangco
Over half a million pesos worth of suspected shabu were retrieved in separate buy-bust operations in Quezon City over the weekend.
Melchor de Jesus, 26; Ellen Joy Abonita, 21; Jocelyn Del Barrio, 40; Darell Fabriga, 27; Jasper Casinillo, 25; and Allan Mangalandan, 53; yielded 15 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 20 grams with an estimated value of P136,000 in a sting at Barangay Gulod in Novaliches at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Also retrieved were a caliber .38 revolver with ammunition, an improvised shotgun with ammunition, drug paraphernalia, some of the suspects' personal belongings, and the buy-bust money.
Four sachets of suspected shabu weighing 3.5 grams and worth about P23,800 were also seized from Hilarion Macahilig, 43; and Rosamely Panagsagan, in a drug bust in Barangay Pasong Putik at about 10:45 p.m.
Police arrested Rashed Madendog, 38, after he sold P7,000 worth of suspected shabu to a poseur buyer in front of a mall at North Avenue at Barangay Bagong Pag-asa at about 11:05 p.m.
Two sachets of suspected shabu weighing 30 grams and worth about P204,000, a cellphone, and the marked money were recovered from the suspect.
About 40 minutes later, Peter John Halog, 20; Elgie Cariola, 20; and Micharl Juaton, 19; were collared in a buy-bust operation at Barangay Payatas.
Retrieved from the suspects were six sachets of suspected shabu weighing 2.6 grams with an estimated value of P17,680.
Mark Dennis Mabato, 45; Ayhran Ken Mabato, 26; Angelo Navarra, 36; and Eugene Solis, 40; also yielded 11 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 15.25 grams and worth about P103,700 in another sting at Barangay Pasong Tamo at about 2:20 a.m. Sunday.
Police also nabbed Helmer Ilaga, 37; Chuck Fernandez, 21; and Elrinno Mangulabnan, 49; in a drug bust at Barangay Krus na Ligas at about 5:30 a.m.
Six sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 6.30 grams with an estimated value of P42,840 were confiscated from the suspects.
The seized pieces of evidence were brought to the Quezon City Police District Crime Laboratory Office for laboratory examination.
The arrested suspects will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and other appropriate charges.