Drug ring leader’s trusted man falls

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested the alleged right-hand man of a drug ring leader at the Parola Compound in Manila Friday night.

Marvin Austero, said to be the trusted man of Senaya Sandagan, alleged leader of a drug ring operating in the slums of Tondo and Parola, was nabbed for possession of illegal drugs and firearms, Superintendent Raymundo Liguden, head of the Manila Police District (MPD) intelligence unit, said.

Austero was about to flee when operatives from MPD Stations 2 and 11 and the district intelligence unit caught him at past 10 p.m.

He yielded seven grams of shabu, a shotgun and a grenade.

 Austero also worked as the group’s triggerman, Liguden said.

“He was tasked to kill members of the group who had failed to remit drug money,” he said.

“With his arrest, we hope the number of murders in those areas will go down,” Liguden added.

Police said Austero has pending arrest warrants for murder and illegal possession of firearms.