ORMOC CITY– A buy-bust operation jointly conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the police of Inopacan, Leyte resulted in the arrest of a man in possession of suspected shabu valued at P151,000.
The operation conducted last March 20 in Barangay Osmeña, Inopacan at about 5:10 pm resulted in the arrest of Wenbert Maquited, alias “Bert,” 30, who hails from Navotas, Malabon, and is currently residing temporarily in the said village.
Upon apprehension, one sachet containing the white crystalline substance, suspected to be shabu, was recovered from Maquited, procured by an undercover agent for P500.
Subsequently, during a body search conducted in the presence of an elected barangay official and a representative from the local media, five additional sachets containing the same substance, totaling approximately 23 grams, were seized.
Maquited was duly informed of the nature of his arrest and was apprised of his constitutional rights in a language understood by him.
Charges for violations of Sections 5 (selling illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) have been filed by PDEA at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Hilongos, Leyte, against the arrested suspect, who is currently detained at the Bato Municipal Police Station. (ROBERT DEJON)
