2 suspected drug traders arrested in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines—Two suspected drug traders were arrested Monday evening in Bulacan, police said Tuesday.

Superintendent Lalaine Amparo, Sta. Maria Municipal Police Station chief of police, identified the suspects as Nelson Jacinto Rivera, 30; and Raymond Fernando Ramos, 21; both residents of Barangay (village) Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan.

Amparo said that Rivera and Ramos were arrested in Barangay Mahabang Parang, Sta. Maria, Bulacan around 6:30 p.m. after being found in possession of drug paraphernalia and five heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or “shabu” worth around P5,000.

Police officials, in coordination with anti-narcotic agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, were conducting an anti-illegal drug operation in the area when suspects were arrested, she said.

The suspects and the confiscated evidences were brought to the Bulacan Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory for examination, while appropriate criminal complaint against Rivera and Ramos is being prepared for filing in court, Amparo said.