Police arrested a gang leader and another high-value target, and seized more than P27 million worth of shabu in two separate operations Tuesday in Taguig and Las Pinas.
Southern Police District director Brig. Gen. Kirby Kraft identified one of the suspects as Basser Utto, 32, who was arrested along with female companion Normina Datuan, 25.
Members of the Taguig City Police MCU Substation 7 and Station Intelligence Section were conducting its routine Oplan Sita patrol operation along Pendatun corner Old Housing Streets in Barangay Maharlika, Taguig around 11:45 p.m. when they chanced upon a blue Toyota Vios with registration plate EAD 2382.
The lawmen initially flagged down the car driven by Utto for reckless driving. But when they noticed a Chinese tea bag with plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance inside the car, they searched the vehicle.
The authorities then placed Utto and his companion under arrest after discovering more Chinese tea bags with the same content, believed to be shabu, worth more than P20.4 million.
Kraft said Utto is the leader of Utto Criminal Group responsible in the proliferation of illegal drugs in Taguig and nearby cities in south Metro Manila.
Earlier in Las Pinas, a buy-bust operation resulted in the arrest of Jayson Lucas, 37, alias Brad, tagged by the police as a high-value individual in the government’s campaign against drugs.
Also found from Lucas’ possession was a Chinese tea bag containing one kilo of shabu valued at P6.8 million.
Operatives of the Las Pinas Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit made the entrapment operation along Bayabas Street, BF International Village, CAA around 4:30 p.m.
Police also seized a black Herschel sling bag and the cash money used in the anti-narcotics operation.
Kraft commended his men from the Taguig and Las Pinas police stations for their latest accomplishment, and promised to continue keeping the Southern Metro Manila safe especially during the holidays.
“I am confident we can do more to eliminate illegal drugs in the future. Thank you to our policemen for continuing to fulfill their duty to protect our citizens. I salute your skill and bravery that greatly contribute to the peace and order of the country,” he said.
Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government had warned the government will enforce the law and fill the jails with drug dealers.
Abalos made the warning during the launching of Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Iwasan or BIDA, a nationwide anti-illegal drugs advocacy program involving local government units, national government agencies, and other key sectors of the society that focus more on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation in the communities.