Pubdate: Sat, 03 Dec 2005
Source: Sun.Star Baguio (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005, Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2005/02/27/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1942
Author: Ernie N. Olson Jr.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

COPS CONFISCATE P1.5 MILLION WORTH OF MARIJUANA

SOME P1.5 million worth of dried marijuana bricks were seized by
operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in a
series of operations conducted in Baguio City early this week.

The drug operations also resulted in the arrest of two women,
allegedly couriers of an organized drug syndicate operating in the
city.

Superintendent Bernardo Borrinaga, PDEA director for Cordillera,
identified the suspects as Jocelyn Korangaw Gakayan, 30; and Maria
Diga Wanayan, 25, both residents of San Carlos Heights, Irisan.

Two other suspected drug pushers, who eluded arrest during the raid,
were identified as Elmer Abedeo, the caretaker of the raided safehouse
in Irisan; and a certain "Lakay".

Borrinaga said the two arrested suspects were caught while delivering
a blue Sagada weave backpack containing three bricks of marijuana
weighing 2.8 kilograms within the vicinity of two adjoining bus
terminals along Otek Street last Monday.

The arrest of the duo subsequently led to the confiscation of another
one kilo of marijuana leaves and six bundles of dried cannabis sative
bricks weighing 18.2 kilos when the PDEA operatives swooped down on
the suspects' safehouse.

The following day, the PDEA operatives intercepted 38 kilos of
marijuana placed in three boxes at the Victory Liner Bus Terminal in
Marcoville supposed to be delivered by "Lakay" who was able to escape.
- ---