Alleged cohort of ‘drug queen’ busted in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A suspected cohort of alleged “drug queen” Guia Gomez Castro was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Sampaloc, Manila, police said Monday.

Marlon Dela Cruz allegedly yielded eight sachets of suspected “shabu” worth around P30,000 and the P500 cash used in the buy-bust operation conducted 9 p.m. Saturday in Barangay 484 Zone 43, according to a report from the Manila Police District Police Station 4 (Sampaloc).

National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar told INQUIRER.net that Dela Cruz could be one of the “runners” of Castro, who won as barangay chairwoman of the Barangay 484 Zone 48 in Sampaloc in the 2018 barangay polls but failed to take her oath.

Lt. Col. Carlo Manuel, MPD spokesperson, said the police are investigating the exact connection of Dela Cruz to Castro, who the Bureau of Immigration has revealed left the country for Bangkok on September 21.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino earlier said Castro buys recycled drugs from rogue police officers. /kga