9 drug suspects nabbed in Bicol buy-busts

LEGAZPI CITY – Nine suspected drug traders were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in the Bicol region on Wednesday and Thursday (Jan. 25 and 26).

In Camarines Sur province, Jonathan Ponciano, 56, and Keith Amiel Loyola, 25, were arrested in Barangay San Jose in Iriga City at around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, spokesperson for the Bicol police, said in a report that the suspects sold three grams of “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P20,400.

In Tigaon town, a minor suspect was also arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay San Mabalodbalod at around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Calubaquib said 2.5 grams of shabu worth P300 were recovered from the suspect, who was transferred to the social welfare office.

In Siruma town, Eduardo Malanyaon and Hazel Nelson were arrested in Barangay Salvacion at 10:45 p.m.

Calubaquib said a sachet of shabu worth P476 was confiscated from the suspect.

In Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte province, Dominic Perez, 23, was arrested in Barangay North Poblacion at 9:20 p.m.

Perez allegedly sold a sachet of shabu worth P2,040 to an undercover agent in the said area.

In Sorsogon City in Sorsogon province, Jorgelyn Patanao, 43; Katheren Jones Noriega, 32; and Fely Esapada, 70, were arrested in Barangay Pangpang at 6:45 p.m.

Confiscated during the operation was a sachet of shabu worth P6,120.

The suspects were facing charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

/abc