PDEA nabs 3 drug fiends in Sorsogon

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities arrested three suspected drug pushers in Sorsogon City during a sting operation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Wednesday.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. identified the suspects as Judy Labalan, 41, Number 7 in the Regional target-listed drug personality in Sorsogon; Vilma Diaz, 33, cohort of Labalan; and Marites Maximo, 37;  all of Barangay Burabod, Sorsogon.

Reports showed that last March 26 at 11:40 p.m., joint elements of PDEA Regional Office 5 Sorsogon City police conducted a buy-bust operation along the vicinity of Burabod Elementary School which led to the arrest of Labalan and Diaz.

Confiscated from their possession were one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu and P1,000 used as marked money during the transaction.

Meanwhile, anti-narcotics agents also arrested Maximo during the implementation of a search warrant in her residence in Sitio Bagsangan, Barangay Burabod, Sorsogon City.

Recovered during the search were seven heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, assorted drug paraphernalia and several plastic sachets containing residue of the illegal drug.

However, a certain Janrey Gabito Iglesia and Pokoy Domino were able to elude arrest during the operation.