CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Anti-narcotics operatives at the weekend a barangay councilman and 11 others during raid at a suspected illegal drugs den along Jasmine Street, Pineda Subdivision, Barangay Dau, Mabalacat City.
A group of persons allegedly engaged in a drug session in one of the residential units there was caught by surprise when lawmen barged inside the residence.
The arrested suspect Noli Allen Laxamana,39, alias Allen, Councilman of Barangay Balitucan, Magalang, Pampanga, is considered by police authorities as high-value target being elected government official.
Supt. Ruel Cagape, officer-in-charge of Mabalacat City police, identified other suspects as Lucindo Halili, 57, alias Ludu, alleged maintainer of drug den; Raden Andong,39, alias Jaw; Emer Tizon, 54, Joseph Bernardo, 28; Andrew Bartolome, 31; Roy Licaycay, 52; Nino Blas, 40; Erwin Navarro, 31; Raul Alegaga, 48; and Arturo Manaloto, 35, all residents of Bgy. Dau, Mabalacat City.
Cagape said Halili was the objective of the police operation for his alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade in the community. He said the suspect was arrested after he handed a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) to a law enforcement officer who posed as a buyer.
Halili tried to escape but was pursued by the police, leading to his arrest.
Cagape said one of the suspects was an overseas Filipino worker scheduled to fly for Dubai on Monday (September 11).
In Pampanga alone, scores of low-level politicians including barangay captains have been brought behind bars for alleged use and trafficking of the prohibited substance.
Items seized from the suspects’ possession included illegal drugs paraphernalia, amounts of shabu and marked money used in the buy bust.
The suspects are detained at Mabalacat City police as criminal charges are being readied against them.
