12 suspects fall in series of anti-drug ops in Zambales

OLONGAPO CITY — Twelve drug suspects were arrested following separate police operations in three towns of Zambales on Friday night (Aug. 9).

Seven of them, including a minor, were caught smoking marijuana in San Marcelino town at around 2:30 p.m. Arrested were Noel Padua, 25; Maribel Pona, 43; and John Rowel Anillo, 33.

Also arrested were Jennifer Esteban, 33; Jethro Moreno, 27; Alexander Ladringan Jr., 37; and a 14-year-old suspect.

The police seized three bricks of dried marijuana leaves, a plastic sachet containing dried marijuana leaves, two plastic sachet containing shabu (crystal methamphetamine), two empty sachets with traces of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia.

A separate operation in Castillejos town led to the arrest of George Corpuz, 38; and Danica Gomez, 28, who were caught with five plastic sachets containing suspected shabu.

In Subic town, policemen arrested 43-year-old Edward Santos, his wife Nancy, and Jover Juliano in Barangay Matain for possessing 12 plastic sachets of suspected shabu.

All suspects were detained and charged for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, while the minor has been placed under the custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) in San Marcelino. /jpv