2 suspected marijuana pushers nabbed in Lucena

LUCENA CITY, Philippines – Police arrested two suspected marijuana pushers in a buy-bust in this city early Saturday, police said.

Lt. Colonel Romulo Albacea, Lucena police chief said Bernard Neric, 25, was nabbed by anti-illegal drugs operatives after he sold a plastic sachet of marijuana to an undercover police officer who posed as the buyer during the bust in Barangay (village) Gulang-Gulang around 5 a.m.,

Authorities seized 13 plastic sachets of marijuana weighing 86.6 grams worth P31,170 in the streets.

Earlier, policemen also arrested John Mark Placino, 18, in another sting after he sold marijuana to an undercover police officer and an informant in Barangay Ibabang Dupay around 2 a.m.

The suspect yielded seven-sealed plastics containing marijuana weighing 67.1 grams worth P24, 155.

Police said the suspects are among the major distributors of marijuana to students, out of school youths and young professionals in their respective villages and neighboring areas.

According to police, Neric’s illegal activity was tipped off to the authorities through “Project Blue Box” receptacles found in the barangay hall.

Reformed drug users informed the police about Placino’s marijuana peddling activity.

Police said with the scarcity of shabu (crystal meth) in the local market due to the relentless campaign and operations against drug pushers in the city, most meth users have shifted to marijuana.

Edited by MUF