Cops nab 3 drug suspects in QC buy-bust, seize P400k shabu

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested three drug suspects early Sunday in a buy-bust operation in Quezon City and seized from them P408,000 worth of illegal drugs, as well as unlicensed guns.

Initial reports by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) stated that authorities from the Novaliches Police Station caught suspects Conrado Gonzales, 52, a resident of Caloocan City; Bernard Bailey, 41, from Manila; and Arlene Puno, 43, a resident of Pasig City at about 12:30 a.m. in front of the Sta. Monica Cockpit Arena along Sarmiento St., Brgy. Sta. Monica, Novaliches.

Six sachets of shabu weighing approximately 60 grams with estimated street value of P408,000, two ziplock bags of dried marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a caliber .45 pistol, one magazine with six live ammunition, one snub nose caliber .38 revolver with five live ammunition, a white Honda Civic, a cellphone, and cash in different denominations were confiscated from the arrested suspects.

Further investigation by authorities showed that Gonzales was the main drug supplier in the area and has two previous cases for illegal drugs.

He was convicted in 1994 and served his sentence for 12 years. In 2011, he was again arrested in Pasay City for selling illegal drugs which then he was acquitted.

Meanwhile, Bailey was convicted for murder in 1997 and served his sentence.

He was also arrested for violation of RA 9165, RA 10591, and RA 8294 but was acquitted.

Puno was included in the Pasay City drug watchlist, authorities added. /je