Tip-off leads to seizure of P1.6 marijuana in truck

By Larry Madarang and Emely Cayandang- Fama

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet -- A tip to agents at the regional office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency here has led to the seizure of P1,635,000 worth of marijuana bricks over the week.

Chief Insp. Edgar Apalla, regional chief of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Cordillera said this led to the arrest of Domingo D. Tongali, 29, married, vegetable dealer, native of Bakun, Benguet and resident of Upper Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet, owner and operator of the intercepted vegetable and fruit dealer truck and Martin S. Madinno, 24, single, also of Bakun.

Tongali was in the target list of drug personalities in the Cordillera, Apalla said. Tongali and Madinno were arrested after the vehicle they were riding; an elf truck bearing plate number ZKM 699 bound for Naguilian, La Union was intercepted night of Feb. 3 along Quirino Highway, Irisan, Baguio City.

The contraband items were found by the PDEA operatives packed in sacks, stuffed in black garbage bags and placed at the truck’s underchassis and behind the driver’s seat.

Apalla said, a case for illegal drugs would be filed before the Baguio city prosecutor against Tongali and Madinno.

The inventory of evidence against the suspects was done on site in the presence of representatives from the city prosecutor’s office, media and a barangay official of Irisan.

Personnel of Police Station 9 in Irisan also assisted during the anti-drug operation.