9 nabbed after yielding P4.4M marijuana in Bulacan

Authorities seized these dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops from nine suspects during a buy-bust operation inside a house in Hagonoy, Bulacan. Photo from PNP Hagonoy

HAGONOY, Bulacan, Philippines — Police on Sunday arrested nine people — three of them students — after they were found in possession of 37 kilos of dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops worth P4.4 million during a buy-bust operation in this town.

Arrested were Kevin Paul Jose, 26; Joshua Gabriel Faustino, 23; Anthony Chino, 28; Ken Alec, 22; Tyrone Gipala, 23; Kate Desaluna, 18; Marc Mariano, 22; Ivanah Nanit, 22; and Rogerio Rodriguez, 20.

Col. Roginald Francisco, Hagonoy police chief, said the suspects were caught inside a house in Sitio Sandoval in Barangay Iba here at around 3:20 a.m.

The house, reportedly owned by Faustino, was allegedly being used for repackaging dried marijuana leaves.

Also seized during the operation were drug paraphernalia and the buy-bust money.

The suspects are now under the custody of the District Drug Enforcement Unit of the Northern Police District, which led the operation.

/atm