Shabu seized at checkpoint

Once again, police checkpoints in Metro Manila have proven to be effective in thwarting criminal activities.

In Manila, four persons were arrested in a checkpoint in front of Manila North Cemetery in Sta. Cruz, while in possession of more than 40 grams of shabu yesterday morning.

Arrested were Bayani Gonzales, 42, tricycle driver; Sergio Lito Rodriguez, 36; Lanie de Guzman, 37, and Evangeline Aquino, 35, all from Diliman First District, San Rafael, Bulacan.

Police found in their possession four sachets of transparent plastic containing suspected shabu. The sachets were wrapped in gift wrappers.

Investigation showed that the suspects were arrested at round 11:10 a.m. at a checkpoint set-up by Western Police District-Anti Kidnapping Task Force (WPD-AKTAF).

Operatives of the group headed by Inspector Arnulfo Malaluan were manning a checkpoint when they spotted a heavily tinted white Tamaraw FX without license plates. Malaluan’s men PO3 Edwin Romano, PO2 Marcelino and PO1 Wallace Driz flagged down the suspects’ vehicle, which pulled over.

While the lawmen were accosting the suspects about the registration of the vehicle, Romano spotted the driver Rodriguez trying to hide something.

When they checked, police officers found the alleged shabu and pieces of aluminum foil.

The suspects, however, denied any knowledge about the shabu.

Rodriguez said the vehicle for hire is owned by his parents-in-law.

The confiscated shabu will be forwarded to the WPD-Crime Laboratory. – Cecille Suerte Felipe