BY FREDDIE C. VELEZ
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ANTI-narcotics operatives seized more than 10 kilos of shabu worth around P70 million and arrested eight suspected members of a big-time drug syndicate in separate buy-bust operations on Wednesday in Meycauayan City, Bulacan.
The operations were launched by the Meycauayan City Police, Provincial Intelligence Branch, PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Bulacan Provincial Police Office director Col. Lawrence B. Cajipe said that the syndicate has open access to warehouses operated by a group with direct connections to the main source of illegal drugs from Mainland China.
The syndicate is also responsible for the bulk distribution of illegal drugs in Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and some parts of Southern Tagalog, according to Cajipe.
In his report to Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, Cajipe identified the arrested suspects as Sandy Domingo, 41; Nida Barrientos, 54; Rhodora Jose, 43; Christian Villaflores, 39; Milky Joy Principe, 33; Kevin Limbo, 27; Bernard Flores, 46; and Clifford Bello, 35.
Police said Domingo and his two female companions were arrested at about 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday by the operating units led by Lt. Colonel Bernard Pagaduan, Meycauayan City police chief, during a buy-bust at Centro 2, Barangay Pantoc, Meycauayan City.
They yielded some 100 grams of suspected shabu.
Suspect Domingo later pointed to Villaflores as his source of illegal drugs.
Villaflores was later nabbed along with the other suspects in another buy-bust operation for one kilo of shabu worth P1.2 million on Pandayan Road, Meycauayan City at around 9:30 a.m. on the same day.
The arresting team also discovered at the back compartment of Villaflores Toyota Camry (XNF-319) more kilos of shabu.
All suspects will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the anti-Illegal drugs law.
