School bag yields marijuana, 8 live bullets; student arrested in Tuguegarao
TUGUEGARAO CITY — A routine security check at a private school here led to the arrest of a 20-year-old college student after suspected marijuana and eight live 9mm rounds were allegedly found in his backpack on Monday, August 24.
Police said the student, identified only as alias “Mar,” a resident of Barangay Ngarag, Cabagan, Isabela, was stopped for inspection at about 11:56 a.m. at the school’s pedestrian entrance along Balzain Highway in Barangay Centro 12.
A female security officer conducting the routine bag inspection reportedly discovered two pieces of suspected marijuana weighing 1.78 grams and valued at about P213.
A glass tube reportedly containing marijuana residue and eight live 9mm ammunition were also found inside the backpack.
The discovery prompted the security officer to alert authorities, resulting in the student’s arrest and turnover to the Tuguegarao City Police Station.
Police said the confiscated items would be turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 2 for examination and proper disposition.
The student is facing charges under Sections 11 and 12 of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, for alleged possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
He is also facing a charge under Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, for alleged illegal possession of the eight live rounds.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the source and intended use of the ammunition and suspected illegal drugs.