CAMP CARLOS DELGADO, CATARMAN, Northern Samar – Following the continuous PNP operations on anti-illegal drugs and anti-carnapping, authorities intercepted drug couriers and were able to seize illegal drugs loaded in a vehicle in Allen, Northern Samar, on September 6.
Based on the report, a metallic gray Toyota Avanza was driven by a 44-year-old businessman alongside two cohorts who are residents of Antipolo City and Lanao Del Sur.
They traveled from Malabang, Lanao Del Sur, to Tubod, Iligan City, where they picked up the illegal drugs and were bound for Baclaran, Manila.
The vehicle was flagged down in a checkpoint by the Northern Samar Provincial Highway Patrol Team in Barangay Jubasan, Allen, Northern Samar for non-wearing of seatbelt.
Further, the accosted driver failed to present an Official Receipt/Certificate of Registration (OR/CR) of said vehicle.
Upon search, police found a pack with black packaging that resembled the drugs previously seized in the same area on August 31, 2024.
With the aid of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) K-9 Unit together with Northern Samar Police Provincial Office (NSPPO), Northern Samar Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (NSPDEU), Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), 1st and 2nd Northern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (NSPMFC), Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 8 (RDEU8), PIP, Regional Intelligence Division 8 (RID8), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), 8th Military Intelligence Battalion (MIB) – Philippine Army, Philippine Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), and in the presence of witnesses, 36 packs were further discovered loaded in the said vehicle.
The 37 packs seized illegal drugs were turned over to the Provincial Forensic Unit for examination while arrested individuals were brought to Allen Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Col. Sonnie Omengan, provincial director, pointed out that the arrested individuals will be facing charges for possessing and transporting 37 packs of illegal drugs.
“We will be filing charges against the suspects for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (R.A. 9165),” Omengan stated.
Omengan has ordered an in-depth investigation for the possible identification of parties involved, if there is any, and intensified checkpoint operations.
“I have instructed the concerned units to prioritize the filing of cases as well as the continuous investigation and intelligence monitoring pertaining to the incident. We shall continuously strengthen our police operations in border-controlled areas since there were similar incidents and violations in previous months,” Omengan stressed.
