Two prominent drug lords in Central Visayas and their two cohorts were killed in a buy-bust operation that led to the seizure of 40 kilos of shabu worth around P272 million in Barangay Sta. Ana, Taguig City, Monday morning, the National Capital Region Office (NCRPO) said.
Police said alleged drug lords Christopher Ocarol alias Riking and Allan Catalan, and their still unidentified companions were killed when they shot it out with lawmen at about 5:35 a.m. on C6 Road, Barangay Sta, Ana, Taguig City.
Joint operatives of the NCRPO Regional Intelligence Division-Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Special Operations Group, Taguig Police, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency launched the operation against the suspects, according to the NCRPO report.
Police recovered from the suspects some 40 kilos of shabu valued at P272,000,000, the buy-bust money, two high-powered firearms, a .45-caliber pistol, a .38-caliber gun, and a gray Pajero with temporary plate number ZMR 277,
The NCRPO revealed that Ocarol and Catalan were “notable drug lords in Central Visayas” who had been the source of huge shipments of illegal drugs since early 2000.
The duo had been detained in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and Cebu City Jail, respectively, for drug cases but were released after the Court of Appeals dismissed their cases sometime in 2015, the police reported.
To avoid being detected by authorities in Central Visayas, they decided to hide in Manila where they transacted and monitored their illicit activities in Central Visayas.
“They started shipping in small quantities until the duo were able to ship 50 kilos at a time. With their established large network in the island of Cebu, the suspects are able to ship the same volume in a weekly basis,” the NCRPO said in its report.
Police said the suspects were living luxurious lifestyles in Metro Manila and were monitored to be frequenting casinos. They also started to dispose their illegal drugs in areas of Maharlika in Taguig and other areas in Pasig City.
The NCRPO said the suspects’ proceeds from their transactions were usually deposited in three bank accounts registered to two private individuals and a trading firm.
Based on information gathered, police said the suspects’ shabu came from Vicente Sy, one of the so-called “Bilibid 14” who is currently detained at the Marine Barracks in Taguig City.
The two slain suspects were able to get the trust and confidence of the Chinese inmates during their detention at the NBP.
The NCRPO said the death of the two big-time drug personalities is a big blow the syndicate as it “greatly affected the illegal drug transactions in Metro Manila and Central Visayas”.
