(Photo courtesy: NBI Public Information Office)
MANILA -- The National Bureau of Investigation Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID), in coordination with the Presidential Security Group (PSG), arrested nine people engaged in the sale and distribution of shabu near Malacañang complex.
In an advisory on Friday, the suspects were identified as Rolando C. Laya a.k.a. Laya, the group's leader; Bryan Jason Batrina a.k.a. Ian; Melvin Santiago; Freddie Nacion Jr.; Esperanza Pido; Joan Garcia; Ronnie Gonzales Law; Sulpicio Reyes Cassiler Jr.; and Leonardo dela Cruz Asa.
Acting on information provided by the PSG, a buy-bust operation was conducted on June 6, resulting in the arrest of Laya, Batrina, and Santiago who subsequently tested positive for shabu use.
NBI Assistant Director for Intelligence Service Eric Distor said the surveillance operations were conducted by the joint teams to identify cohorts in the trade. Warrants were later obtained for the arrest of the other suspects Nacion, Pido, and Garcia in Barangay. 662 in Paco, Manila.
The NBI also arrested Lao, Cassiler, and Asa in a follow-up operation in Barangay 831, also in Paco.
Nearly five grams of shabu and a firearm were recovered.
The nine suspects were charged with violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9165).
A separate charge of violating the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act were also filed against Lao. (PNA)
