ANGELES CITY, Pampanga - An American national was caught in the act selling shabu to an undercover Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent during a buy-operation at Room 11, Sunlight Lodge, Barangay Balibago, on Sunday morning, July 3.
PDEA operatives identified the suspect as James Baginski, 57, resident of Kandi Tower, Brgy. Malabanias, Angeles City, Pampanga.
The operatives said that Baginski is from Hawaii, USA and has been in the Philippines since 2019.
Baginski had been placed under surveillance after the authorities got a tip from a confidential informant sometime last June.
“Naging maingat ang mga authorities sa pagsubaybay sa kanya para hindi ma burned out ang gagawing operasyon na nagresulta naman ng kanyang pagkakadakip,” the authorities said.
Operatives have yet to determine the American’s source of illegal drugs.
Confiscated from Baginski were a plastic sachet containing 5 grams with an estimated street value of P34,500; two re-sealable plastic sachet containing white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine, driver's license; cellular phone; and the buy-bust money.
A case for violation of section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 will be charged against the suspect.