3 arrested in drug sting; P3.4 M shabu seized

MANILA, Philippines – Three suspected drug couriers of big-time drug pushers were apprehended and yielded over P3.4 million worth of shabu (crystal meth) during a buy-bust operation in Pasay City early Wednesday morning.

GOTCHA! – NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar confronts the three arrested drug suspects following a buy-bust operation in Pasay City Wednesday morning. The suspects, who yielded P3.4 million worth of shabu, reportedly work for a big-time drug dealer. (Photo courtesy of NCRPO /PIO)

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) identified the suspects as Graciano Rombo, 34; Roderick Pisig, 35 and Alican Pagayaw, 31.

Operatives from the NCRPO- Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, Manila Police District – Station 9 Drug Enforcement Unit and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – National Capital Region Office conducted the buy-bust operation at the parking area of Harbor Square at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex at around 1:45 a.m.

The trio was arrested after handing over P250,000 worth of shabu to an undercover police officer.

Recovered from them were marked money, a Toyota SUV, 500 grams of shabu and two mobile phones.

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said they received confidential information from previous drug busts that the suspects are allegedly drug couriers of big-time drug pushers.

“Itong tatlong ito ay ginagamit na mga courier na nagbabagsak din dito. May vital information tayong nakuha para magsagawa ng case build-up,” Eleazar told reporters after the buy-bust operation.

“Courier sila ng mga grupong malalaki na, they were transacting similar items,” he added.

The arrested suspects were taken to NCRPO Headquarters in Taguig and will be charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./gsg