Chief Inspector Bartolome Tarnate, NPD-DAID-SOTG chief, identified the suspect as Benito Cua, a resident of Lot 20, Phase 2-A, Area 5, C-3 Road, North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS), Dagat-Dagatan, Navotas.
The DAID-SOTG operatives, led by SPO2 Mario Saddoy, seized from Cua a plastic sachet of shabu with an estimated street value of P9,000.
The NPD Crime Laboratory confirmed that the seized substance weighing 4.23 grams was methampetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
The agents conducted a week-long surveillance against the suspect after they gathered information of his alleged illegal activity in the northern part of Metro Manila, particularly in the coastal town of Navotas.
On Sept. 22, the NPD-DAID, after confirming the report, coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for a possible operation against the suspect.
At around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Tarnate’s men, armed with a search warrant, swooped down on Cua’s lair in Dagat-Dagatan resulting in the suspect’s arrest and the seizure of the illegal drugs.
PO2 Ariosto Rana said charges of illegal possession of dangerous drugs were filed against the suspect at the Navotas prosecutor’s office. Fiscal Ojer Paces recommended a P200,000 bail for the suspect’s temporary liberty. — Pete Laude