2 men nabbed or P3-M marijuana

BAGUIO CITY – Policemen arrested two suspected drug traffickers and seized some 120 kilos of marijuana valued at P3 million in a series of “buy-bust” operations at Rizal Park here.

Chief Supt. Eugen G. Martin, regional police director, said the arrest of the two suspected drug traffickers came as a result of over two months of surveillance since they were included in the drug watch list of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The arrested suspects were identified as Wilton Anatil Alacdis, 21, of the (Benguet State University) compound in La Trinidad, Benguet; and Fred Pinrad, 21, native of Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet.

The police and anti-narcotics agents seized from the two suspects during separate operations approximately 120 kilos of marijuana in 72 bricks with a total market value of P3.7 million.

After the PDEA’s covert operative was able to gain the suspects’ trust, he posed as a buyer and arranged a test purchase of one brick in exchange for only P2,000.

After the “test buy,” the poseur-buyer subsequently arranged with the suspects the delivery of 120 kilos near Rizal Park here.

During the “buy bust,” the buyer met with Alacdis who delivered the illegal drugs on board a Toyota Revo taxicab. But after the buyer discovered that Alacdis delivered only 110 kilos or 67 marijuana bricks in several cartoons, he confronted one of them about their earlier deal for 120 kilos, and this prompted Alacdis to call Layogan to deliver 10 kilos more.

After the call was made, the team collared Alacdis. – Dexter A. See