TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Three tourists who tried to transport dried marijuana leaves were apprehended at a police checkpoint in Barangay Dinakan, Lubuagan, Kalinga on Monday afternoon, June 6.
The suspects were identified as Dawn Marie Martinez Agudo, 32, factory worker and native of Corpus, Masbate and presently residing at Sitio Ruhat 4, Masbate Province; Jesus Sandino Oñate Laygo, 27, visual analyst and resident of Damong Maliit St, Magkaisang Nayon, Novaliches Q.C; and Andrain De Guzman Rodrigues, 33, Surf instructor at San Felipe, Zambales, and resident of Block 4 lot 6 Phase 1, Aningway Sacatihan, Subic, Zambales.
According to Col. Peter Tagtag, Jr., provincial director of the Kalinga Provincial Police Office, the police received information from a concerned citizen from Tinglayan town, Kalinga that there was a private vehicle carrying three people with marijuana passing in Tabuk City.
Joint personnel of the Kalinga PPO, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Lubuagan MPS immediately set up a checkpoint and stopped a sedan at around 2:30 p.m.
Operatives recovered four pieces tubular of dried marijuana leaves and stalks weighing more or less 4,000 grams with an estimated value of P480,000 inside the car.
Also found inside the car were marijuana dried leaves, two pieces of grinder containing residue of marijuana, three android cellular phones, a car key and a one laptop with bag.
An on-site inventory was conducted on the confiscated drugs witnessed by Barangay Kagawad Edna Taotao, media representative and DOJ representative Bernadeth Malayao.
The suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs law of 2002, specifically the provision on the illegal transport of prohibited drugs.