PRO8 posted gains in anti-illegal drugs drive

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
August 14, 2013

CAMP KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – A 28-year old jobless man is the latest addition to the list of drug personalities arrested by the police in Eastern Visayas as the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) posted significant gains in its anti-illegal drug accomplishments a year after the region’s top police official ordered an all-out war against illegal drugs.

PCSupt. Elmer R. Soria, PRO8 director, informed that agents of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group arrested a total of 191 persons since he issued a directive to intensify the anti-illegal drugs drive upon assuming post as the region’s top cop in August 6 last year.

“The series of operations resulted in the seizure of around 450 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or ‘shabu’ and 1.2 kilos of marijuana with an estimated market value of 5.4 million pesos,” Soria informed.

He added that a total of 171 cases were filed for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in different courts regionwide.

Soria attributed the achievement to the constant cooperation among law enforcement and other concerned government agencies and the active support and participation of the public to the anti-drug campaign.

On Tuesday, the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) arrested a known drug pusher in Catbalogan City in Samar at around 10:30 a.m. in a buybust operation at the vicinity of Brgy. 10 in Patag District.

Soria identified the suspect as one Mario Basa alias Awo, 28, married and a resident of Purok 1, Brgy. 10, Patag District of said city.

Basa was arrested by RSOG under PInsp. Constantino Jabonete, Jr. after selling one sachet of ‘shabu’ worth P1000 to a police poseur-buyer.

The police team was also able to confiscate from the suspect four heat-sealed plastic transparent sachet containing suspected “shabu” worth P3000 and the two pieces P500-bill used as buybust money with serial numbers SS203476 and VZ552091.

Suspect is currently detained at Catbalogan police station lock-up cell as drug charges is being prepared for filing against him while confiscated items were brought to the Regional Crime Laboratory Office for laboratory examination.