Drug ring leader, member arrested in Quezon City

Sonny Boy Regajal, the alleged leader of Ragajal drug group, and a certain Rebecca Officiar, who is allegedly a member of the drug syndicate, pose for a mugshot after they were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Quezon City on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019. Photo from Quezon City Police District

MANILA, Philippines — An alleged drug ring leader and one of his members were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Quezon City on Monday, police said.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel Jr. on Tuesday identified the suspects as Sonny Boy Regajal, alleged leader of the Ragajal drug group, and a certain Rebecca Officiar, an alleged syndicate member.

Police said the two were arrested in an operation launched along Ermin Garcia Street near Imperial Street in Barangay (village) E. Rodriguez in Cubao. Seized from the suspects were 28 sachets of suspected “shabu.”

According to a report from the QCPD, Regajal is included in the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. He was arrested by the police in 2017 for arson in Lawa-an, Eastern Samar.

He was released from jail in January 2018 and allegedly explored the illegal drug trade after being freed, the QCPD said.

Officiar, meanwhile, was also arrested in October 2017 for possession of illegal drugs and was released from jail in September 2018. She is also involved in drug trafficking, according to the police.

The suspects were brought to the Cubao Police Station as they faced charges in violation of the Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. /cbb