An alleged drug peddler, who reportedly sells marijuana and ecstasy to bar-goers, was arrested during a buy-bust operation inside a bar in Makati City, Saturday dawn (January 30).
Makati’s Assistant Chief of Police for Operations (ACOPO) Maj. Tyrone Valenzona identified the suspect as Emanuel “Mengo” Mercado, 31, of Barangay Bangkal, Makati.
Based on a police report, the drug sting was led by Makati’s Drug Enforcement Unit officer-in-chief Mark Anthony Farinas at Club 69 located in Barangay Poblacion, Makati around 12:40 a.m.
An undercover policeman transacted with Mercado and bought one plastic bag containing kush or high-grade marijuana from him.
When the suspected drug peddler accepted the marked money, other policemen inside the bar apprehended him.
Retrieved from Mercado were 31 plastic bags containing kush and pieces of suspected ecstasy placed inside small plastic sachets.
According to the ACOPO, the seized kush weighed 30 grams and has a street value of P50,000 while the three ecstasy pills are worth P5,000.
“We learned that he has been selling party drugs and kush in various bars here in Makati. He usually sells to youngsters,” said Valenzona.
He said that they placed Mercado under surveillance after learning about his alleged illegal activities in the city.