Alert checkpoint personnel stop P18-M worth of shabu from flooding communities
MORE THAN P18 million worth of illegal drugs were seized from two individuals who tried to sneak in the contraband at the Sirawan checkpoint in Toril District around 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 25.
The suspects were identified as Cresil Jay Alvarez Lacia, 29, and Antonio Palacios Jr.,30, both working as drivers from Purok 5 Poblacion, New Corella, Davao del Norte.
Joint checkpoint personnel from the Davao City Police Office and Task Force Davao confiscated 1.140 kg grams of illegal drugs with an estimated street value of P18,200,000 from the two.
According to the report, joint operatives flagged a black Mitsubishi Montero with the number plate LAJ 5538 as a routine security check.
However, one police officer saw in plain view a small brown envelop on the front passenger floor containing what appeared to be shabu. The cop also saw two transparent plastic bags with sachets of suspected drugs inside.
The law enforcers then ordered the driver and passenger to disembark from the SUV before handcuffing them.
Due to the massive haul, Mayor Sebastian Duterte visited the checkpoint to question the suspects personally.
The suspects are now detained at Toril Police Station pending inquest proceedings for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). Meanwhile, the seized drugs were turned over to Davao City Forensic Unit for examination and safekeeping.
P1-M worth of shabu seized in buy-bust
Meanwhile, Dominique Benemeli, 30, single, jobless, yielded 72.78 grams of illegal drugs with an estimated street value of P1,164,480, following an operation in Punong Dos, Bunawan, at 12:55 a.m. on Sunday.
DCPO chief Col Alberto Lupaz said Benemeli was the city’s top two high-value target.
He is now detained at Sasa Police Station while the seized drugs were handed to the City Forensic Unit.
