Barangay kagawad nabbed in Leyte drug bust

MANILA, Philippines - Authorities arrested a  barangay kagawad during a drug bust operation in Leyte, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Thursday.

The PDEA identified the suspect as Edsel Tupaz, an incumbent barangay kagawad and a farmer, 37, and a resident of Brgy. Luntad, Palo, Leyte

Belated reports showed that on June 2, around 9:05 a.m, combined elements of PDEA Regional Office 8 , Provincial Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group and Palo police arrested Tupaz after he sold a plastic sachet of suspected shabu to a poseur-buyer in exchange for P1,000 bill used as marked money.

Confiscated from Tupaz were two pieces of large plastic sachet containing suspected shabu, a large plastic sachet containing suspected dried marijuana leaves, a caliber .45 pistol and a magazine, six pieces of caliber. 45 live ammunition, a black clutch bag, a pair of scissors, and a motorcycle.

Tupaz is temporarily detained at Palo police station, while cases for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared for filing in court.

An additional case for violation of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) will be filed against him.