MANILA, Philippines – Four individuals tagged as “high-value targets” in the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) anti-illegal drugs campaign were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Pampanga provincial police on Saturday night, January 20, in Bacolor, Pampanga.
According to Pampanga police director Colonel Jay Dimaandal, the suspects were identified by their aliases: “Jane,” 45, a fish vendor from San Quintin, Pangasinan; “Jaime,” 52, a security guard from Quezon City; “Jeff,” 44, a motor mechanic from Caloocan; and “Rie,” 39, a tattoo artist from Quezon City.
The operation led to the confiscation of 402 grams of shabu valued at P2,733,600. The suspects were apprehended in Barangay Cabetican at around 8:12 pm.
Authorities also seized a Para-Ordnance .45 caliber pistol with serial number 53487, a Colt Trooper MK-111 .38 caliber revolver with serial number 850209, a .45 caliber magazine, ammunition, a Redmi cellphone, and a gray Hyundai Sonata (license plate TOG 788) allegedly used by the suspects in their illegal drug activities.
Dimaandal noted that the suspects played significant roles in the distribution of illegal drugs in Pampanga and nearby areas. “We have been monitoring their activities for some time, and we were able to confirm their involvement in drug trafficking,” he said.
Police Regional Office 3 director Brigadier General Jean S. Fajardo commended Dimaandal and his team for the operation, highlighting it as a testament to the PNP’s commitment to curbing illegal drug operations in Central Luzon.
The suspects are currently detained at the Pampanga Police Provincial Office. They face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (R.A. 9165) as well as illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.