14 nabbed in Cordillera as PNP ups anti-drugs drive

Manila-Kalinga syndicate members included 

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Six drug pushers including four members of Cyrus Group were nabbed in a buy-bust operation while eight drug users were arrested while having pot session in the Cordillera recently.

Topping the arrest was the capture of four members of Cyrus Group and confiscation of 12 million worth of marijuana bricks during a buy-bust operation in Purok 4, Barangay Bulanao Tabuk City, afternoon of June 28.

Arrested suspects were identified as Jehoshaphat Agod, 23,; Ceasar “Cyrus” Marngo, 35; Ganipis Baggas, 34; Joey Marngo, 28,  all residents of  Loccong, Tinglayan, Kalinga.

During the in-depth investigation, police revealed that arrested suspects are members of a big time drug syndicate operating in the National Capital Region and Kalinga province. Ceasar Marngo was previously arrested in Quezon City for possession of 40 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves but the case was dismissed which caused his release from jail in 2017.

During their arrest, some 100 kilos of marijuana bricks with a Dangerous Drug Board value of P12,000,000 and a Cal. 45 pistol with inserted magazine loaded with seven bullets were confiscated by lawmen.

In another operation, two female alleged drug pushers identified as Rhea M Ormita, 39, and Mary Grace P Sabroso, 34 were collared in their residence at East Quirino Hill, Baguio City night of June 28. Confiscated from their possession were seven sachets of shabu.

Eight persons were also successively arrested while having drug session.

In Benguet, police apprehended drug users identified as Stafin Calion Olsim Jr, 54, of Toyong, Pico; Raymark Sosa Granil, 25, porter, native of Tarlac and resident of Betag; Ariel Bawas Degyem, 38, porter, and resident of Western Buyagan, Poblacion and Mark Jason Kidsolan Nugal, 30, of Induyan, Alno, all of La Trinidad, Benguet.

They were arrested at Toyong, Pico evening of June 24 after a concerned citizen informed the police of the ongoing drug session.

Confiscated from them were eight sachets containing suspected shabu, and drug paraphernalia.

 Also, alleged drug users Arnel Elliad Gatawa, 39, a resident of Bad-ayan, Baculongan Sur, Buguias, Benguet and Dexter Galawa Locante,42, and resident of Palakad, Cattlubong, Bugias , Benguet were caught in the act using illegal drugs at the basement of Suligay Building, Abatan, Buguias, Benguet afternoon of June 30.

Found from them were sachets containing residue of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia.

In Kalinga, suspects named Ace F. Wayet, 31, a resident of Balag-ey St. Casigayan, Tabuk City and Gabriel Dawayan, 52, and a resident of Dagupan Centro, Tabuk City were also apprehended in the house of Dawayan in the afternoon of June 26.

Confiscated from them were shabu, and assorted drug paraphernalia.

All suspects are now facing charges for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.

Following these, Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson, Cordillera police director urged all police units to sustain this momentum and run after all illegal drugs personalities in urban centers as well as the countryside.