Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet – As part of the campaign of the PNP Cordillera to totally stop the transportation of marijuana in the region, Police operatives recovered 20 kilos of marijuana leaves in a tubular form with an estimated value of 2.4 million from two local tourist at Sitio Betwag, Caponga, Tublay, Benguet at around 2:15 PM of November 20, 2020.
Personnel of Tublay MPS were conducting COVID19 Quarantine Checkpoint when a white Nissan Van bearing plate number NFW 7312 driven by Jevie Malipot Pabia, 34 y/o, resident of Brgy Zone 4, Dasmarinas Cavite with his passenger Rommel Manuel Barrientos, 39 y/o, resident of Summer wind 3, Salitran 3, Dasmarinas, Cavite suddenly make a U-turn upon noticing the checkpoint.
But the alert police personnel cornered the vehicle and discovered that their travel pass is limited within the municipality of La Trinidad only.
The suspects came from Bakun, Benguet bound for Cavite.
During inspection, Barrientos suddenly moved to the second seat of the van trying to hide something by covering a black garbage bag prompting the police to order him to alight from the vehicle and open the side door of the van. With the use of K-9 narcotic dogs, they discovered the 20 pieces of marijuana leaves in tubular form.
Both suspects together with the confiscated contrabands are now under the custody of Tublay MPS for proper disposition, while illegal drugs-related charges will be filed against them.
Moreover, suspects are now listed as newly identified High Value Target (HVI) of PROCOR.
The operation is part of the continuing efforts to stop transporting illegal drugs outside and inside the region.
PROCOR Regional Director R’win SA Pagkalinawan ordered all police units to be alert and firm because drug suspects are now taking advantage of the situation thinking that the police are lax in conducting checkpoints.
“Even with the ongoing health crisis and calamity, our anti-illegal drugs operations will continue without let-up and will be unrelenting as ever,” he added. (PROCOR RPIO)