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Village councilor nabbed in drug sting

Philippines | Visayas

Village councilor nabbed in drug sting

By Glazyl Masculino

A BARANGAY councilor was among those arrested in a drug den in Barangay Poblacion, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental on Friday, March 20. (PDEA-NIR)

A BARANGAY councilor was among those arrested in a drug den in Barangay Poblacion, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental on Friday, March 20. (PDEA-NIR)

BACOLOD CITY – A 29-year-old village councilor was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Nagbagang, Barangay Poblacion, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental on Friday, March 20.

Melvin Estoque, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region, said they had been monitoring the suspect Daniel since last year, following reports about his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

Estoque said the suspect was using a family house as an alleged drug den where two other persons identified as Alex, 29, a call center agent, and 23-year-old Sheldon, a laborer, were also arrested.

Another suspect, identified as Joseph, remains at large and the subject of a manhunt operation.

Confiscated from them were 16 sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 20 grams worth P200,000, drug paraphernalia, a pouch, a cellular phone, and a Glock .43 firearm loaded with bullets owned by Daniel, tagged as a high-value individual in the illegal drugs trade. Estoque said they are verifying if the firearm is licensed.

He said they will file administrative cases against Daniel before the Office of the Ombudsman. Illegal drug cases are being readied against Daniel and his companions.

Daniel was the first barangay official arrested for a drug offense in the region this year, according to Estoque.

He said they are probing the source of the contraband and if the suspects are linked to a drug group.

Related Tags

Barangay councilor Drug pusher PDEA Santa Catalina Negros Oriental

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