More than P3 million worth of illegal drugs were seized from five members of a notorious robbery group during three separate operations in Manila and Valenzuela on Monday, December 2.
According to the police report, "Jasareno" robbery group was dismantled by the Manila police under the leadership of alias Joel, 42, former member of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Police also nabbed four members of the group identified as Jhaymar, 32; Yang, 21; DJ, 41; and Melandro, 37. All of the arrested members were residents of Tondo, Manila.
Initial investigation disclosed that the group is also responsible in the holdup incident happened on November 18 in Balut, Tondo, where the group was riding a tricycle when they attempted to kill a man and robbed his belongings.
One of the five suspects, Melandro, was caught with illegal drugs when arrested at Happy Land Compound in Tondo.
Through the information provided by Melandro, the other two members of the group, Yang and DJ, were caught in a buy-bust operation with various drugs including 45 grams of cocaine, 11 grams of marijuana and four pieces of marijuana vape.
Ronnie and Jhaymar, the alleged leaders of the group, were arrested in Valenzuela with a .38 caliber gun.
Police said Joel was named as Top 3 Station Level Most Wanted Person for Malversation of Public Property while Jhaymar was Top 6 District Most Wanted Person for Attempted Murder.
Police said they will continue to monitor the areas to maintain security while strengthening patrols with the Tactical Motorcycle Riding Unit (TMRU) in Tondo.