Two suspected illegal drugs traders who are also reportedly engaged in selling “stolen” petroleum products have been arrested in San Fernando City in La Union by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police (PNP).
They were identified in a statement issued by NBI Officer-in Charge Director Eric B. Distor as Ronaldo Mamaril and Ricky Mamaril.
Distor said “the NBI-IRO (Ilocos Regional Office) is now completing the necessary documentation preparatory to the filing of proper cases against the subjects for violation of BP (Batas Pambansa) Blg. 33, An Act Defining and Penalizing Certain Prohibitive Acts Inimical to Public Interest and National Security Involving Petroleum Products.”
It was not known immediately if PDEA has filed charges against the suspects for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
The NBI statement said that the suspects were arrested during an entrapment operation in Barangay Poro last Thursday, April 29, conducted by joint operatives of the NBI-IRO’s, PDEA La Union Provincial Office, PNP Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and PNP San Fernando City, which were armed with search warrants.
“PDEA operatives seized illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, while the NBI-IRO seized six drums and four big plastic containers with petroleum products,” it said.
“The Subjects are now under the custody of PDEA for their involvement in the illegal drugs trade,” it added.
It said the operation was conducted in response to intelligence information that “subjects are involved in the illegal trade of petroleum products and illegal drugs in Barangay Poro, San Fernando City, La Union.”