Ex-Army sergeant, companion nabbed in PDEA drug-bust

DAVAO CITY – A former sergeant of the Philippine Army tagged as the top 7 in illegal drugs watch-list and his companion were arrested by the operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 11) during a buy-bust operation at Purok 4, Barangay San Juan, Maco, Compostela Valley on Sunday.

Antonio Rivera, PDEA 11 director, identified the suspects as Charlon Antonio, 42, married, and Elmer B. Martinez, 29, single, both of the same place.

After validating the information about the activity of the two, Rivera said agents from the Compostela Valley Provincial Drug Enforcement Office, Davao Del Norte Provincial Drug Enforcement Office of PDEA 11, Compostela Valley Drug Enforcement Unit and Maco Municipal Police Station conducted the buy-bust operation.

He said the two were arrested for conspiring with each other in selling more or less 500 grams of Cannabis Sativa L, locally known as marijuana worth PHP2,000 to an operative who acted as poseur buyer.

Another two small sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, and the buy-bust marked money bills were also recovered during the anti-drug operation.

Rivera said Antonio is one of the elusive and notorious drug personalities operating in Compostela Valley.

The suspects are now detained at the Maco Municipal Police Station jail facility while the seized items were submitted for laboratory examination.

Both suspects will also face cases for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. (Rhoda Grace Saron/PNA)

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