Drug dealer, companion slain in Laguna buy-bust

SAN PEDRO CITY –– A man tagged by the authorities as a “big-time” drug dealer in parts of Laguna and Quezon provinces was killed in a buy-bust operation in San Pablo City in Laguna on Saturday afternoon.

Laguna police chief Col. Eleazar Matta, in a text message, said police target Allan Saniel, alias “Bata,” was killed in a police operation around 1 p.m. in Barangay Sta. Ana.

Also slain in the police shootout was Saniel’s companion, Lloyd de Chavez.

Matta said Saniel was a high-value target at the regional police and was in the drug watchlist by the national government.

Saniel, allegedly a henchman of the Amante Drug Group, a syndicate being linked to San Pablo City’s political clan, disposed on the average “two to three kilos” a week of “shabu” (crystal meth) in Laguna and Quezon.

Matta said Saniel and de Chavez on Saturday agreed to meet up with undercover policemen along the barangay road.

After handing over two sachets of alleged shabu, he said the suspects must have realized they were dealing with the police and began to open fire.

The police shot back and killed both of them instantly.

The police recovered four guns of different calibers from the suspects and about 50 grams more of drugs with a total estimated value of P250,000. Maricar Cinco/lzb