Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte – Through the region’s unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal drugs, the Police Regional Office 8, under the leadership of Brig.Gen. Reynaldo Pawid, carried out a series of successful buy-bust operations which resulted in the arrest of two Regional Priority Target List (RPTL) and three other drug suspects on July 14.
The Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) 8 together with the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) and Palompon Municipal Police Station apprehended the region’s top 2 drug personalities together with other two High-Value Individuals (HVIs) in Brgy. Mazawalo, Palompon Leyte.
Accordingly, the suspects were identified as “Oliver”,42, ranked 2 in the Regional Priority Target List (RPTL); “Nel”,41 and “Go”,32, all are residents of Palompon, Leyte.
Seized from the suspects were one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu (subject of sale), twenty-four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu, one .38 caliber without serial number (power custom), one unit .38 without serial number (storm), one rifle grenade with ball trap, one M67 grenade, and buy-bust money.
In a separate anti-drug operation, the joint elements of Eastern Samar Police Provincial Office – Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, San Policarpio Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit, 1st Eastern Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (ESPMFC), and the 801st Maneuver Company – Regional Mobile Force Battalion-8(RMFB), arrested the Top 9 drug personality and another drug suspect in Barangay Alugan, San Policarpio, Eastern Samar.
Operatives identified the suspects as alias “Zaldy”,57, a fisherman listed as rank 9 RPTL and “Nene”,53, a businesswoman, both residing in San Policarpio, Eastern Samar.
Confiscated during the operation were one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu (subject of sale); six small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu; one (1) heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu (possession of alias “Marie”), and a buy-bust money.
Meanwhile, an onsite marking and inventory of the seized evidence were conducted in the presence of invited witnesses and the suspects. The actual weight and the value of confiscated suspected shabu are yet to be determined by the Regional Forensic Unit (RFU) 8.
The filing of criminal charges for violation of Section 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, known as “Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2022” will be filed against the suspects.
Pawid lauded the relentless efforts of the operatives in their campaign against illegal drugs. “I commend the exerting efforts of our line units in countering the operations of illicit drugs in the region. This is a testament of our intensified efforts in combating these illegal activities. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment as public servants, aiming to keep our communities safe and free from unlawful activities,” he said.
He praised the hard work of the officers involved behind the successful operations. “I commend the dedicated efforts of our teams in stopping drug operations in our region. This shows how hard we’re working to fight these crimes. Let’s stay committed to keeping our communities safe and free from illegal activities.”
