MANILA, Philippines — About P340-million worth of crystal meth or “shabu” has been seized from three drug suspects in an entrapment operation that ended in a shootout with lawmen in Quezon City on Wednesday.
One of the suspects was wounded when they exchanged shots with police officers, according to a report from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) released on Thursday.
QCPD director Brig. Gen. Remus Medina said that the operation took place at about 10:30 in the morning of Wednesday, March 23, next to a gas station along Mindanao Ave. after operatives received information regarding the illegal drug activity of the suspects.
During the drug sting, police arrested Ramil Jose Ramos, 39, Gibbrael Arcega, 32, and Mikkael Arcega, 29.
Ramos was taken to the East Avenue Medical Center after sustaining gunshot wounds following a shootout with the police.
Police said it was Ramos who opened fire.
Confiscated from the suspects were approximately 50 kilos of shabu worth P340 million, a white Nissan Urvan, a blue suitcase, and a .45-caliber pistol with two magazines and ammunition.
The apprehended suspects and recovered pieces of evidence are now under the custody of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group at Camp Crame.
Charges of violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Republic Act 10591, otherwise known as Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, are being readied against the suspects, the police said.
“Pinupuri ko ang mga operatiba mula sa iba’t ibang ahensya para sa kanilang agarang aksyon at pagtutulungan dahilan para mahuli ang mga suspek at maging matagumpay ang ganitong malakihang operasyon kontra iligal na droga,” Medina said in a statement.
(I commend the operatives from various agencies for their immediate action and cooperation to catch the suspects and make this large-scale operation against illegal drugs a success.) Jericho Zafra, INQUIRER.net intern
RELATED STORIES:
P20-M shabu seized from 2 Chinese high-value targets in QC bust — PDEA
P1.36 million worth of meth seized from suspects in Quezon City buy-bust
QC drug bust nets suspect, seizes P3.5 million ‘shabu’
2 drug suspects busted in QC; P340K shabu seized