DOJ indicts 6 suspects in P2-B Subic drug bust

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed charges against six men arrested in a drug raid in Subic, Zambales two months ago, where P2 billion worth of shabu was seized.

Charged with possession and attempt to deliver illegal drugs were Albert Chin, Joselito Esqueta, Coronel Disierto, Emmanuel Erwin Tobias, Dennis Domingo and Romeo Manalo.

The charges were filed before the Olongapo City regional trial court on Tuesday.

The DOJ has found probable cause in the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (PNP-AIDSOTF).

In a resolution released yesterday, the DOJ said the operation and the arrests were valid as it gave credence to the testimony of Police Office 2 Alexander delos Reyes who penetrated the alleged syndicate.

Delos Reyes reportedly posed as helper for Chin’s house in Sta. Monica Subdivision in Barangay Sto. Tomas where several black bags and balikbayan boxes were stacked. 

In his affidavit, the police officer said he saw the respondents placing several foil packs into balikbayan boxes. He found crystalline substance believed to be shabu packed in self-sealing plastic bags wrapped with foil.

During the raid, the suspects were caught loading the contraband in a van parked inside the compound.

Police said the two balikbayan boxes contained 432 and 100 kilos of shabu, while the 22 bags were loaded in a white Nissan Urvan parked in Sta. Monica Subdivision.

Chin reportedly tried to escape but was arrested at the expressway in  Floridablanca, Pampanga, along with his driver and bodyguard Manalo. Police found a kilo of shabu in their vehicle.