TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Seven local tourists were arrested after P4.5 million worth of marijuana bricks were found from them in an interdiction checkpoint conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera and Kalinga Provincial Police Office at Block 3, Purok 5, Tabuk City, Kalinga, on Monday, June 12 .
The arrested suspects were identified as Sandy Alerta Legnes, 30, van driver, Raymond Abrea Nazareno, 33, both drivers, and residents of Sta. Maria, Bulacan; Michael Tayo David, 25, Keneth Christian Buena Sum, 28; Matthew John Mirasol Milgate, 22; John Ashley Sevilla, 24, and Rhecel Sumayod Maribojoc, 21. All are from Angeles City, Pampanga.
According to operatives, they received information that there were people on board a grey Commuter Delux van with plate number NEI 1380 who were transporting illegal drugs and passing in Tabuk City.
The operatives immediately set up a checkpoint that resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
The operatives recovered inside the van 38 bricks of dried marijuana leaves sealed in a transparent plastic and worth P4,560,000.
The operatives also found two small yellow half-tape-wrapped bricks of dried marijuana leaves with fruiting tops and one brown paper bag containing dried marijuana leaves and stalk.
On-site inventory was conducted in the presence of the arrested suspects and duly witnessed by DOJ representative Lailanie Balao-ing, media representative Hermigilda Chico and barangay Kagawad Clifford Dinanas of Brgy Bulanao Centro, Tabuk City.