3 suspects yield shabu, marijuana, firearms

Around P400,000 worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) and marijuana were seized from three arrested drug suspects in Quezon City on Sunday.

According to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), two of the three suspects were not new to the drug business because they had been charged before in other cities.

A report to Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel Jr., QCPD director, identified the suspects as Conrado Gonzales, 52; Bernard Bailey, 41; and Arlene Puno, 43.

They are residents of Caloocan, Manila and Pasig cities, respectively.

Investigation showed that the suspects were arrested around 12:30 a.m. in front of a cockpit arena on Sarmiento Street in Novaliches.

They yielded 60 grams of shabu worth around P408,000, two plastic bags containing marijuana, two guns and several bullets. Both firearms were reportedly unlicensed.

Police records showed that Gonzales remained a major drug supplier in Novaliches, despite having served 12 years in prison for two previous drug cases.

In 2011, he was arrested again in Pasay City for drug pushing although he was acquitted of the charges.

Bailey, on the other hand, was convicted for murder in 1997 in Caloocan City, although he had already served his sentence.

He was later arrested on other charges, including illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms, although he was also acquitted.