Authorities seized over P1 million worth of shabu in separate anti-drug operations in Matina and Agdao on Saturday.
An alleged big-time drug dealer and four others were arrested during the entrapment operations.
Kenmark Bocado, 26, scanning operator and a resident of R. Castillo Street, Agdao, was arrested by agents of the Davao City Office and Seaport Interdiction Unit of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency XI.
He fell in the sting operation after handing over a large sachet of shabu weighing 25 grams with a market value of P375,000 along MacArthur Highway in Matina at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, revealed Nephi Noli Dimaandal, PDEA XI spokesperson.
Seven more sachets of suspected shabu weighing more or less 39 grams with a street value of P585,000 were also recovered from his possession. Bocado is now detained in the PDEA XI detention facility while the seized contraband was endorsed to the laboratory service for examination.
A case for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) Article II of Republic Act 9165 or “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” is being prepared against him.
Dimaandal said that since Bucado was arrested 100 meters from a school, the maximum penalty shall be imposed as provided under Republic 9165.
Meanwhile, three others were arrested in a buy-bust operation along Del Pilar Street, Barangay San Antonio, Agdao District at 6:40 a.m. on the same day.
They were identified as Jansen Tan, Marvin Alinganga, and Kris Reb Alcoseba. The suspects reportedly sold three grams of meth worth P15,000 to an undercover agent.
Another four sachets of suspected shabu weighing more or less seven grams with a market value of P105,000, drug paraphernalia, and the buy-bust money were recovered from them. Tan and Alinganga were previously arrested for violation of the anti-drug law.
Accordingly, the two were released after they availed the plea bargaining given by the government.
“Despite the chance given by the government for their reformation, still, they choose to go back again in jail,” he said.
The suspects are now detained at the PDEA XI detention facility. They face a case for violation of Section 26 in relation to Section 5 (Attempt or Conspiracy), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act 9165.
