Suspected drug peddlers nabbed in QC mall

Shabu. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Anti-narcotics agents have arrested two suspected drug peddlers possessing P5 million worth of illegal drugs inside a fast-food chain at a shopping mall in Cubao, Quezon City.

The two suspects, who were target-listed drug personalities, were caught in a buy-bust operation at a McDonald’s branch in Ali Mall on Monday afternoon, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Wednesday in a statement.

Benigno Mendoza, 30, and Jaylord Turero, 23, who are both from Green Park Village in Pasig City, sold to an operative posing as buyer a plastic bag containing shabu, or methamphetamine hydrochloride.

Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac, Jr.‎, PDEA Director General, said the substance weighed more than 1 kilogram with an estimated market value of P5 million.

Cacdac said the seized drug pack has been brought to the PDEA laboratory service for forensic examination.

Mendoza and Turero are currently under the custody of the PDEA RO-NCR (Regional Office-National Capital Region).

Also recovered from the suspects were one black Nokia cellular phone, one resealable plastic bag containing suspected shabu, one paper bag, one windowed envelope and the two pieces of P1000 bills used as marked money during the operation.

‎Cases for violating Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), in relation to Section 26 (Conspiracy to Sell) under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared for filing in court against Mendoza and Turero.

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