The confiscated illegal drugs from Saddam. (Photo courtesy of MPD)
A suspected drug pusher and two male minors allegedly acting as his runners were arrested in a police operation in Sta. Fe Street, Barangay 118, Tondo, Manila, after being caught with suspected shabu and high-grade marijuana known as kush.
The arrest was made during an Oplan Galugad operation conducted by the Tactical Motorcycle Rider Unit (TMRU) of Manila Police District Station 1 (MPD PS1).
According to the report submitted to MPD, the main suspect was identified as alias Saddam, a 32-year-old tattoo artist and a resident of San Roque Street, Barangay 118.
Also apprehended were two 17-year-old identified only as alias AA and KB, both residents of the same barangay and believed to be working as runners for Saddam’s alleged illegal drug activities.
The operation was initiated after a concerned citizen approached the patrolling TMRU team and reported three suspicious individuals allegedly using and transacting illegal drugs inside a parked tricycle in a narrow alley near Building C along Sta. Fe Street.
The police officers immediately responded, cordoned off the area, and respectfully confronted the three individuals.
Upon conducting a body search, the team recovered suspected illegal substances and paraphernalia from their possession.
The confiscated items included three sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P6,800, one lighter, a glass pipe with traces of marijuana, and twenty-five sachets of kush, weighing approximately 12 grams and valued at P16,800.
The recovered items were properly inventoried and marked on-site in the presence of the suspects, a barangay official, and members of the media.
Record verification revealed that alias Saddam had previously been jailed twice for drug-related offenses.
Authorities suspect he continued to expand his illegal operation by recruiting minors to avoid detection.
Alias Saddam is currently detained at MPD PS1 and will face charges for violation of Sections 11 and 12 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Meanwhile, the two minors were turned over to the custody of the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) and will face the appropriate charges upon reaching the legal age of 18.