MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested 11 suspected drug personalities in a buy-bust operation at a hotel in Taguig City, which yielded different kinds of illegal drugs worth PHP340,000.
PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino identified the suspects as Edmond Remegio, 33, jobless; Malik Coronel, 33, jobless; Manuel Valdes, 34, an insurance agent; Jake Tolentino, 33, an insurance claims processor; Jose Carlo Torres, 38, an engineer; Mario Aclan, 27, a make-up artist; Angelo Padasas, 28, an office staff; Jevel Ucero, 22, a student; Carlo Kasala, 25, a physician; Legui Brylle Gonzales, 28, an account manager; and Bryan Dizon, 20, a software developer.
The suspects were nabbed in an entrapment operation at about 10 a.m. Sunday conducted by PDEA’s Special Enforcement Service (PDEA-SES) operatives inside Room 609 of Seda Hotel in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City.
Seized during the operation were 20 ecstasy tablets, weighing 8.691 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP40,000; two transparent plastic sachets containing methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, weighing 0.0981 gram worth PHP500; 12 bottles containing gamma butyrolactone (GBL), weighing 530.8 ml. worth PHP300,000; and one bottle containing white capsules, with a total value of PHP340,500.
GBL, a precursor of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), is commonly referred to as a “club drug” or “date rape” drug, usually abused by young people at bars, rave parties and clubs and is often placed in alcoholic beverages.
GBL and GBH abuse results in euphoria, increased sex drive, and tranquility.
Valdes, the target of the operation, and company were caught using the illegal drugs inside the hotel room.
Remegio and Coronel will be charged with violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) in relation to Section 26 (Conspiracy to Sell), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Charges for violation of Section 15 (Use of Dangerous Drugs) will be filed in court against the other suspects.
The suspects are under the custody of PDEA-SES. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
