By NIÑO N. LUCES
IRIGA CITY, Camarines Sur – A nephew of Senator Leila De Lima and 3 alleged drug personalities were arrested by joint elements of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Bicol, Iriga City Police and Regional Intelligence Division in two separate drug buy-bust operation conducted Friday afternoon.
PDEA Bicol regional director Christian O. Frivaldo identified the suspects as Francis Manuel De Lima, alyas “Bong”, 39, a resident of San Agustin, Iriga City. According to Frivaldo, the suspect is a nephew of Senator Leila De Lima.
Also arrested were Ariel Regazpi, 40, trike driver, a resident of Bato, Camarines Sur; Joan Sabanal, 28, a massage therapist and Alicia Mae Dice, 19, both residents of Iriga City.
Frivaldo narrated that around 5:10 p.m. on Friday, the composite team conducted a buy-bust operations at Room 3, Zams Apartelle in Iriga City, that resulted to the arrest of De Lima.
Confiscated during the operation were seven pieces of heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing at least 55 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P374,000.00.
Around 2:45 p.m. on Friday, the composite anti-narcotics team led by PDEA arrested 3 alleged drug personalities in another drug buy-bust operation at Room 20, Lendes Hotel, Brgy San Isidro, Iriga City that resulted to the arrest of Regazpi, Sabanal and Dice.
Seized during the operation were two pieces of heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing more or less 25 grams suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P170,000.00, several pieces of drug paraphernalia, Yamaha Mio motorcycle, and Kawasaki motorcycle with sidecar.
“Cases for violation Article II of RA 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared for filing against the suspects,” Frivaldo ended.
