NBI arrests Quiapo drug lord

Some 70 agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) swooped down on the lair of a suspected drug leader in Quiapo, Manila, arresting the suspect and inviting for verification 12 other people.

Head agent Roel Bolivar, of the NBI-Reaction Arrest and Interdiction Division (RAID), said they arrested Mike Macaumbao and seized 13 sachets containing crystallized substance believed to be shabu.

The NBI said they earlier received information that Macaumbao was the top drug dealer in the area. "Some of the barangay officials said Macaumbao is the No. 1 supplier of shabu in the area. He is the drug lord of all drug lords in Quiapo," Bolivar said.

Agents conducted a two-week surveillance, which included test-buy operations. After confirming the reports, they secured a search warrant from Judge Felixberto Olalia Jr., of Branch 8 of the Manila City Regional Trial Court (MCRTC).

Agents from RAID and the National Capital Region Division (NCRD) then served the search warrant at 6:30 a.m. at the four-story house of Macaumbao and a three-story house owned by a certain "Said" along Carlos Palanca street.

Bolivar said entering the premises was not easy. They were forced to use acetylene torches to open the steel doors.

While they were opening the door, some of the agents saw people throwing objects outside of their window into the Pasig River.

The suspected drug dealer allegedly orders the execution of those who fail to pay debts or the shabu they get from him. During the raid, agents said they discovered a detention cell on the third floor of his house.

The suspect reportedly locks up them up before killing them and throwing their bodies into the Pasig River.

Charges of possession of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, would be filed against Macaumbao.