Manila: Anti-drug operatives in Antique seized its biggest haul for this year, valued at PHP1.8 million, following an operation in Barangay 8, San Jose, Antique, on Sunday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Major Geremy Ian Magbanua, chief of police of the San Jose de Buenavista Municipal Police Station, identified the suspect as alias 'Samuel/Nonoy,' 46 years old and a resident of the same barangay. The suspect is a regional top-priority high-value individual and is listed in the regional target of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). He was served with three search warrants, including violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; RA 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act; and RA 9516 or Illegal Possession of Explosives.
The joint operation with PDEA and the Antique Provincial Police Intelligence Unit led to the confiscation of 270 grams of shabu, 13 pieces of .9mm live ammunition, one unit .38 revolver loaded with five pieces of caliber .38 live ammunition, and five additional pieces of .38 live ammunition. Major Magbanua stated that the suspect has a wide network in the illegal drug trade, explaining that the arrested person either gets his supply from the National Capital Region (NCR) through a roll-on roll-off or from suppliers in Iloilo City.
In addition, it was revealed that the suspect was previously arrested for a drug case in 2019 but was released in 2024 after appealing his case with the Court of Appeals.
