By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag
City—Elements of the City Anti-Illegal Drugs
Special Operations Task Force (CAIDSOTF) in coordination with the Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted a drug buy-bust operation which
resulted in the arrest of Mark Bryan Jacinto alias “Baki”, 32 years old married
and a resident of Brgy. 1 in this city.
Mr. Jacinto was arrested for
allegedly selling one small heat-sealed plastic sachet containing white
crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu”
to a police officer who acted as a buyer in the said operation.
The operation was conducted
at the residence of a Wilbert Aquino at Brgy. 1 in this city.
Also confiscated from Mr.
Jacinto were one pack of cigarette containing 2 pieces of big heat-sealed
sachet containing suspected shabu; 1 piece of small heat-sealed sachet
containing suspected shabu; 1 green passport case containing identification
cards and cash amounting to P800; 2 disposable lighters; 1 improvised glass
tooter with alleged shabu residue; 1 unit cellphone; and 1 pieced of P1,000
bill which served as the marked money.
Consequently, the Mr.
Jacinto’s two companions were also arrested during the buy-bust operation. Wilbert
Aquino, 32 years old, married, owner of the house while he was in possession,
control and custody of 1 open plastic sachet containing suspected alleged
shabu; 1 small heat-sealed plastic sachet containing alleged shabu; 1 small cut
plastic sachet containing alleged shabu residue; 1 open plastic sachet containing
shabu residue and 1 cellphone.
The other companion,
identified as Andres Medrano, 32 years old, married and a resident of Barangay
2 in this city was also arrested while he was in possession of 1 piece candy
aluminum container containing 1 piece heat-sealed plastic sachet with alleged
shabu; 3 pieces of small empty plastic sachet and 1 cellphone.
The confiscated items as well
as the suspects were brought to the Laoag police station after they were
apprised of their constitutional rights and were medically examined at the Laoag
City General Hospital for documentation preparatory to the filing of charges
against them in court.
Laoag police chief P/Supt. Jeffrey
Gorospe said illegal drugs operations in the city is still prevalent as some
people see this as an easy way to profit. They however are not aware of the
consequences of their actions should they be arrested.
Mr. Gorospe disclosed that
Mr. Jacinto is number 7 in their drug watch list. He added that aside from the
top 10 in their drug watch list, another 10 persons are under surveillance for
their complicity in the illegal drugs trade.
These drug personalities are
all involved or related in illegal drugs and gambling or drug and theft or
robbery, he added.
Mr. Gorospe said the Laoag police
is concentrating more on buy-bust operations because it is cheaper and easier
in terms of cost of operations than those of search warrant operations.
At present, the Laoag police
have also received reports about the alleged involvement of politicians in the
illegal drugs trade. Mr. Gorospe however clarified this saying only barangay
kagawads are reportedly involved.
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