MANILA, Philippines – An 18 year-old drug suspect linked to a drug syndicate was arrested in a buy-bust operation after yielding an estimated P7 million worth of shabu (crystal meth) in a hotel in Caloocan City early Wednesday morning.
Police identified the suspect as Jaymark Mercene, alias Kapre, 18.
NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar inspects the pieces of evidence seized from Jaymark Mercene (left) following a drug buy-bust operation in Caloocan City. Police recovered an estimated P7 million worth of shabu from Mercene. Photo courtesy of NCRPO – PIO
He is allegedly a trusted accomplice of drug syndicate leader Edgardo Mongado Co Jr.
Agents of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Drug Enforcement Unit and Caloocan City police conducted the operation in a hotel along 2nd Avenue in Grace Park.
Mercene was immediately arrested after selling P1.2 million worth of shabu to an undercover police officer.
Recovered from Mercene were marked money worth P1.2 million and 1,050 grams of shabu worth an estimated P7,140,000.
NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the shabu was wrapped in tea bags, similar to those seized by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency from Chinese syndicates.
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Mercene is under NCRPO custody and will face appropriate charges. /gsg