Ex-Marine, partner nabbed for drugs in Albay

MANILA, Philippines -A former member of the Philippine Marines and his live-in partner were arrested during an anti-narcotics operation in Albay, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Wednesday.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. identified the suspects as Antonio Lopez, 24, a dismissed Non-Commissioned Officer of the Philippine Marines who went absent without official leave; and his live-in partner, Analyn Dammang,26.

The couple are leaders of the Lopez-Dammang Drug Group operating in the provinces of Sorsogon and Albay and as far as municipalities in Camarines Sur, Cacdac said.

Reports reaching PDEA headquarters in Quezon City showed that last Sept. 23 around 5 a.m., authorities tried to barge inside the couple’s rented house in Arellano Street, Barangay Ilawod, Daraga armed with a search warrant issued by Judge Amy Ana de Villa-Rosero, of the Regional Trial Court 5th Judicial Region, Ligao City.

Lopez, armed with a gun, traded shots with PDEA agents for about 30 minutes and managed to escape through the backdoor.

A brief chase ensued but operatives eventually managed to arrest him.

Anti-narcotics agents recovered inside the house 15 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, five grams of marijuana dried leaves, a caliber.45 pistol and a box containing pieces of live ammunition.

The couple are now facing illegal drug raps before the court.