MindanaoToday.com | PDEA-10 seizes P1.36-M worth of shabu in CDO drug bust
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-10 found 200 grams of shabu worth P1.36 million at the Kingsfield Inn in Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City, on May 26 during a significant anti-drug operation, leading to the apprehension of the suspect, alias “Kriz.”
During a press conference on May 27, PDEA-10 Regional Director Benjamin G. Gaspi attributed the result to their cooperation with confidential informants.
“Ito ay sa pakikipagtulungan lagi ng mga confidential informants. Itong babaeng ito ay malaki ang dinideal na droga sa Iligan City at mga karatig na bayan papunta dito sa Cagayan de Oro City,” said Gaspi.
(This is in collaboration with confidential informants. This woman deals large quantities of drugs in Iligan City and nearby towns all the way here to Cagayan de Oro City.)
Gaspi also said that, allegedly, the suspect has been dealing drugs for a long time. However, PDEA still considers her a “newly identified personality” rather than a regional target-listed personality.
“Kriz,” 33, who is allegedly from Villa Verde, Iligan City, will now face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The PDEA, along with its partners in law enforcement, remains steadfast in its mission to combat drug trafficking and protect the public from the dangers of illegal drugs.
“After tayo nagkaroon ng destruction of dangerous drugs, sa Cosmopolitan, ay ito na po ang pinakamalaking pagkahuli or transaction sa iligal na droga na humantong sa pagkahuli sa isang drug personality,” Gaspi said.
(After the destruction of dangerous drug activity at Cosmopolitan, this is the largest arrest or transaction of illegal drugs, leading to the arrest of a drug personality.)
He also disclosed that agents or law enforcement personnel occasionally conceal and sell information from informants, but PDEA can always obtain this information by cooperating with informants and adhering to proper procedures.
Gaspi notes that in the last couple of weeks, a series of PDEA region 9 operations led to the capture of suspects, allegedly from Tawi-tawi, in possession of a total of approximately 40 kg of illegal drugs.
He added that it’s possible that Malaysia or Indonesia are the source of these drug imports or smuggling.
According to Gaspi, agents spend a favorable number of months on surveillance, stating that big transactions entail big amounts, which require video calls and other methods set by drug personalities to see if money is real.
He stated that drug pushers could make it challenging for agents to track them by utilizing cashless transactions through mobile payment applications, money remittance centers, and delivery or courier services. However, he said that PDEA also has procedures and tactics to counter such scenarios.
“Hindi nakatuon sa ‘drug war’ ang programa ni President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., ito ay nakatuon doon sa prevention, cure, and anti-illegal drug campaign,” he said.
(President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s program prioritizes prevention, cure, and anti-illegal drug campaigns over a “drug war.”)
While anti-illegal drug operations are ongoing, advocacy and information dissemination to barangays and schools are also part of PDEA’s commitment to educating Filipinos on the harmful effects of illegal substances.
The recent delivery entrapment operation was in collaboration with the PDEA-10 Regional Special Enforcement Team, PDEA Misamis Oriental Provincial Office, Philippine National Police Regional Intelligence Unit-10, and Cagayan de Oro City Police Office Station 4. (SAYU/PIA-10)
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