Restaurant manager in Pangasinan nabbed over drugs sale

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agents in Ilocos region aided by Pangasinan policemen busted Thursday a restaurant manager in Pangasinan for selling drugs.

A notorious lady drug pusher in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur was also nabbed.

Balaw Jamal, 31, who according to authorities is a prominent drug pusher and restaurant manager was busted Thursday afternoon at Mangin District, Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

Jamal yielded 75 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride more popularly known as shabu  with an estimated value of at least P270,000, said Bismark Bengwayan, PDEA-Region 1 spokesperson.

Jamal is detained at the Dagupan Police Station while charges of violating sections 5, “Selling of Illegal Drugs" and section 11 “Possession of Illegal Drugs" of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,  which is penalized by life imprisonment with a fine of P500,000 to P10 million are being readied against him.

Bengwayan said PDEA considers Jamal a “High Value Target”  due to the large amount of drugs he is involved with.

PDEA-Ilocos director Adrian Alvarino said their intelligence teams are pursuing leads where Jamal gets his supply of drugs to control the illegal trade in Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, the other day,  a suspected female pusher in Vigan City was also arrested by PDEA and police operatives.

April Azada, 21, from Brgy. Rusuanan, Vigan City was cornered at around 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, after authorities searched her home.

One piece of plastic sachet shabu, seven pieces of live ammunition for caliber .38, one Black widow Magnum .22 with two pieces of live ammunition, one piece of live ammunition for caliber .22, a pair of scissors and one Dan Wesson caliber .38 revolver were seized from her.

PDEA has charged Azada with violation of Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Equipment and Other Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. She will also be charged for violation of RA10591 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives).