A BUY-BUST on a high-value target yielded P1 million during an anti-drug operation inside a shopping mall along Quimpo Boulevard around 1 p.m. on Monday.
The suspect was identified as Arabelle Ibrahim Salazar, who concealed the drugs inside a plastic of Bravo biscuits.
Maj. Milgrace Driz, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group- Davao City Field Unit (CIDG-DCFU) chief, said the suspect has been the subject of surveillance for quite a while now.
They coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency XI, Regional Field Unit, Sasa Police Station, and the Davao Prison and Penal Farm to entrap the suspect. Confiscated from her included one big sachet of suspected shabu, a Samsung smartphone reportedly used in her drug transactions, and the P1,000 marked bill with boodle money.
She was brought to the CIDG-DCFU for documentation before turned over to the Sasa Police Station for detention. She faces a charge in violation of the RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
About two weeks ago, law enforcers caught more than P2.4 million of shabu from the checkpoint in Barangay Sirawan, Toril District. The drugs, weighing 150.43 grams, were hidden inside the sling bag. The haul was the biggest so far for the year.
The suspect, Ronnie Martinez Jr, 25, a resident of Paraiso, Koronadal City, South Cotabato, tried to escape by abandoning his Suzuki vehicle in front of the Gaisano Grand Mall, more than two kilometers away from the checkpoint. But he was later arrested in Barangay Marapangi, which is a short distance away from the establishment.
Taxi driver nabbed in drug entrapment
Meanwhile, a taxi driver and his accomplice were arrested by elements of the Calinan Police Station in a buy-bust at Sampaguita Street in Barangay Mintal, Tugbok District at 3:50 p.m. on Monday.
They were identified as Jhon Carlo Eballe Abanid, 32, a resident of Barangay Centro, South San Juan, and
Joe Marie Largo Ricaforte, jobless, a resident of San Vicente Ferrer, Leon Garcia Sr.
Maj. Jake Goles, the commander of Calinan Police Station, said confiscated from them was a small sachet worth P1,000.
“The Calinan police will continue to reinvigorate its anti-criminality campaign to ensure the safety and security of the people,” he said. “Illegal drugs have no place within our jurisdiction.”
The two suspects will face a case for violation of Sec. 5 and Sec. 11 of RA 9165.
