CAVITE – Suspects initially pursued by authorities for a robbery incident led to the confiscation of P2.7 million worth of suspected "shabu."
The Cavite Police Provincial Office said two suspects allegedly stole more or less P100,000 from a salon and spa in Kawit on Sunday, Jan. 8.
The building owner was able to collar one of the suspects, identified as Mark Angelo S. Sto. Domingo, 22 years old.
Sto. Domingo's accomplice, identified as Nino Ramon B. Kotie, 44 years old, was able to get away on board a hatchback.
The Kawit Municipal Police Station (MPS), in coordination with neighboring police stations, conducted a dragnet operation, which later led to the arrest of Kotie in Tanza.
Recovered from his possession were a pistol, a magazine, and live ammunition.
In another operation on the same day, the Kawit MPS tracked down the getaway vehicle in General Trias City and found the safe house being used by Sto. Domingo's group.
Arrested in the safe house were Lovely Luayon, 22 years old, and Aljon C. Tongol, 31 years old.
During the search, operatives found 42 plastic sachets containing suspected "shabu" with a total weight of more or less 394 grams.
Also confiscated were live ammunition, a caliber .45 magazine, several glass pipes, and various identification cards and documents believed to be owned by the group's previous victims.
In a statement, Police Regional Office-4A Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. commended the Cavite Police and Kawit MPS for the arrest of the suspects who have been supplying illegal drugs in Southern Tagalog and the National Capital Region.