Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
MANILA, Philippines—Anti-narcotics agents arrested Wednesday evening in Taguig City a suspected drug trader who allegedly sold roughly over P1-million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” to an undercover agent, a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official said Thursday.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez, Jr. identified the suspect as Richard Gomez, 31, of No. 369 S. Roldan Street, Tangos, Navotas City.
Gutierrez said Gomez was arrested around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday inside a restaurant in Barangay (village) Fort Bonifacio where he went to meet PDEA’s poseur buyer to complete their transaction of over 200 grams of shabu.
“[Gomez was arrested] after he received the marked money in exchange for the illegal drug,” Gutierrez said, adding that the suspect is said to be a member of a drug syndicate involved in the proliferation of shabu in Metro Manila, particularly in the city of Taguig.
Gomez is now under the custody of PDEA-Intelligence and Investigation Service, while a charge for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, is being prepared against him.