Suspected illegal drug group leader falls in Legazpi City

LEGAZPI CITY – A suspected leader of an illegal drug group was arrested by anti-narcotics operatives in a raid here early Wednesday.

Members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Bicol, city police and Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, armed with a search warrant, swooped on the residence of and arrested Larry Loveriza in Barangay Victory Village here around 12:06 a.m., according to PDEA director Christian Frivaldo.

Victory Village, a coastal area in the city’s sea port, is considered by authorities as a “hot spot” for illegal drugs.

Seized from Loveriza, the suspected leader of the Loveriza drug group operating in this city, was 50 grams of “shabu” or crystal meth worth P300,000.

Loveriza’s wife, Nena, who was included in the search warrant, was able to escape.

Loveriza was detained at the PDEA, while charges were being readied. MAR ARGUELLES