Authorities seize billions worth of suspected illegal drugs in Irisan raid
INTENSIFIED WAR ON DRUGS. DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. commends the police force for the successful anti-drug operation resulting in the arrest of Chinese national Ming Hui and the seizure of nearly four billion pesos worth of illegal drugs, specifically “Shabu”, at Irisan Barangay in Baguio City on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Contributed photo
BAGUIO CITY – Law enforcement authorities have seized an enormous cache of illegal drugs worth nearly four (4) billion pesos from a Chinese national identified as Ming Hui, also known as “Tan”, in a major anti-drug operation on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Purok 4 in Barangay Irisan, here.
Hui was taken into custody by the police after joint anti-illegal drug operatives of the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR); National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO); PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG); Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency; and the National Bureau of Investigation, executed a search warrant and found a bulk of illegal drugs, particularly “Shabu” in his rented house in Brgy. Irisan, which they subsequently confiscated.
The confiscated illegal drugs which weighed approximately 575 kilograms and were worth almost four billion pesos were marked and inventoried on-site in the presence of the arrested suspect and witnessed by Irisan Punong barangay Arthur Carlos; prosecutor Philip Ceasar R. Castle of the Department of Justice; and media representative Darius Bajo of GMA7.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. also stood witness to the marking and inventory-taking of the confiscated items, along with the Deputy PNP Chief for Operations (TDCO), Jonnel Estomo; NCRPO regional director Edgar Okubo; Baguio City mayor Benjamin B. Magalong; PDEA director general Moro Virgilio Lazo; the Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRDO) of NCRPO Jack L. Wanky; District Director of Northern Police District, Ponce Rogelio Peñones, Jr.; and PROCOR regional director David K. Peredo, Jr.
The suspect has been taken into custody by BCPO Irisan Police Station 9 and is now facing charges of violating R.A. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.
The arrest of Ming Hui and the seizure of such a significant volume of illegal drugs marks a significant breakthrough in the government’s ongoing “war on drugs”.
The sheer magnitude of the confiscated drugs highlights the severity of the issue and underscores the importance of continued efforts to combat illegal drug operations in the country.
In a media interview, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. stated that this is a continuing operation of the NCPRO and the PDEA and that the “whole-of-nation, whole-of-government” approach is crucial in this operation.
“Ito ang focus ng ating pamahalaan under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. This is the war on drugs at ganon ang gagawin namin sa war on drugs, sanib pwersa ang lahat,” Abalos said.
The DILG Secretary acknowledged the outstanding work of the police force in carrying out the operation, emphasizing the importance of their cooperation and dedication to the task at hand, even in the face of large sums of money.
Abalos expressed his gratitude and commended the police force for their tireless efforts in the fight against illegal drugs.
“I really salute all of them. Ang binubuwis nila dito ay buhay nila, hindi ito biro,” Abalos said.
Abalos also hopes that this operation will send a strong message to the public to refrain from getting involved in illegal drug activities.
“Winawarningan naming ang lahat na huwag nang magtulak ng droga dahil talagang intensified war on drugs ito,” Abalos said.
Abalos also emphasized the need for greater cooperation and collaboration between barangay officials and the public to address the issue of illegal drug activities.
“Ako ay nananawagan sa mga Barangay Captains…alam nila kung ang mga lugar nila maraming droga..dyan nagsisimula yan, sa barangay,” Abalos said. Merriam del Rosario //FNS
