P3.8-M marijuana seized in Mt. Province; 5 nabbed

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Five alleged drug couriers were separately arrested for transporting marijuana bricks worth P3,882,000 during anti-illegal drug operations conducted by  Mountain Province police last week.

In Sabangan town, a free-lancer video editor identified as Eliterio Celada Pazon, 25, of Sta. Rita, Barangay Guiguinto, Bulacan who was aboard a public utility vehicle bound for Abatan, Bauko was arrested at a checkpoint at Sitio Nacagang, Barangay Tambingan, Sabangan, afternoon of Aug. 18. Confiscated from his possession were 10 bricks of marijuana leaves placed inside his backpack valued at P1,182,000.

Still in Sabaangan, two 17-year-old minors of Sampaloc St,  Doña Nicosia Subdivision, Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City were arrested after they were intercepted at Sitio Paleng, Barangay, Lagan around 7:30 a.m. of Aug. 15.

Both were aboard a Rising Sun Bus when it was flagged down by police for inspection.

Four marijuana bricks valued at P480,000 were confiscated from their possession.

In Bontoc, two passengers identified as Jay R. Farala, 22 and Joshua Brylle Dela Paz, 23, both of Cruz St. Parang, Marikina City were captured at the Rising Sun Bus Terminal, at Poblacion around 8 a.m. of Aug. 15. 

Confiscated from their possession were 128 kilos of suspected marijuana valued at P1,500,000. 

Still in Bontoc, four bricks of marijuana leaves and marijuana leaves wrapped in two cellophane bags in a sack worth

₱720,000 was found along the Bontoc – Kalinga road at Sitio Cheka-a, Bontoc Ili morning of Aug. 16.

These were reportedly abandoned by unidentified persons who came to know they would be inspected at checkpoints.

All arrested suspects were charged for illegal drugs while the  minors were turned over to the Welfare office.

 A regional police press release said it has been a noticeable trend that more teen age Manileños have drug couriers like those going to Mountain Province.