Police arrested a suspected drug pusher along with two male minors, allegedly acting as his runners, after they were caught in possession of shabu and high-grade marijuana known as kush in Sta. Fe Street, Barangay 118, Tondo, Manila, on Sunday, Sept. 28.
They were nabbed during an “Oplan Galugad” operation conducted by the Tactical Motorcycle Rider Unit (TMRU) of Manila Police District Station 1 (MPD PS1).
The MPD said the main suspect was identified as alias Saddam, a 32-year-old tattoo artist and resident of San Roque Street, Barangay 118.
Also apprehended were two 17-year-olds identified only as alias AA and KB, both residents of the same barangay and believed to be working as runners for Saddam’s alleged illegal drug activities.
The operation was launched after a concerned citizen approached the patrolling TMRU team and reported three suspicious individuals allegedly using and transacting illegal drugs inside a parked tricycle in a narrow alley near Building C along Sta. Fe Street.
The police officers immediately responded, cordoned off the area, and confronted the three individuals.
During a body search, the team recovered illegal substances and paraphernalia from their possession.
The confiscated items included three sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P6,800, one lighter, a glass pipe with traces of marijuana, and 25 sachets of kush, weighing around 12 grams and valued at P16,800.
The recovered items were properly inventoried and marked on-site in the presence of the suspects, a barangay official, and members of the media.
Record verification revealed that alias Saddam had previously been jailed twice for drug-related offenses.
Authorities suspect he continued to expand his illegal operation by recruiting minors to avoid detection.
Alias Saddam is currently detained at MPD PS1 and will face charges for violation of Sections 11 and 12 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The two minors were turned over to the custody of the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) and will face the appropriate charges upon reaching the legal age of 18. (Diann Calucin)
