12 Drugs personalities arrested, P984K worth Marijuana seized

Joint forces of Mountain Province PPO, PROCOR RID, and PDEA Cordillera intercepted the transportation of Php 984,000.00 worth of marijuana bricks and arrested 12 drug personalities in Sitio Ampawilen, Brgy Poblacion, Sadanga, Mountain Province in the afternoon of November 21, 2021.

Based on the reports submitted to PROCOR Regional Director, PBGEN RONALD OLIVER LEE, the arrested drug suspects were identified as Micheal Angelo M. Navarro, 29; Julius Cyrel F. Balonso, 19; Jolin Christian F. Balonso, 23; Lyka Joy P. Oprin, 26; Renz Manuel B. Periera, 24; Reina P. Perez, 33; Albert T. Lopez, 29; Robin Mar H. Sarmiento, 40; Pearl R. Tanedo, 23; Ella Mae J. Domingo, 22; Charwin J. Santiago, 36; and Kennedy A. Mensah,18.

Reports revealed that a tip-off was received by Sadanga Municipal Police Station (MPS) regarding a vehicle described as a white Grandia GL van boarded by 12 individuals: eight (8) males and four (4) females, suspected to be transporting illegal drugs.

Immediately, the duty officer alerted all personnel manning the Quarantine Control Points (QCP) in the area advising them to strictly check the vehicles passing through coming from the province of Kalinga.

In the QCP located in Sitio Ampiwalen, Brgy Poblacion, Sadanga, operatives were able to flag down a white Grandia GL van. Upon conducting a routine inspection, the operatives found two (2) backpacks in the back compartment of the vehicle. The backpacks were then further discovered to be containing eight (8) pieces of marijuana bricks composed of dried marijuana stalks and leaves with fruiting tops with an estimated weight of 8.2 kilograms and a Standard Drug Price (SDP) amounting to Php 984,000.00.

The markings and inventory of the pieces of evidence seized were conducted on-site in the presence of the suspects and witnessed by Prosecutor Godaliva Calaowa Golda; Municipal Mayor of Sadanga, Hon. Gabino Ganggangan; Kagawad Pascual Pagcaan and Kagawad Dawing Chopchopen of Brgy Poblacion; and media representative Novy Afidchao.

Further, the suspects and the pieces of drug evidence confiscated were brought to the custody of Sadanga MPS for proper documentation and disposition while a case for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 is being prepared for filing against them.(PROCOR-PIO)