Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency yesterday seized about 30 kilos of marijuana bricks from a suspected drug courier at Bangga Pepsi in Brgy.Bata, Bacolod City.

The marijuana bricks that were worth P300,000, placed in two traveling bags. They were confiscated from Nolen Sariego, a resident of Brgy. 2 poblacion, Sipalay, who had just arrived from Manila, Supt.Rolen Balquin, Western Visayas PDEA chief, said.

Last month the PDEA also seized P500,000 worth of shabu from Alex Casalda and Florenio Bautista in Brgy.Punta Taytay, Bacolod City.

Balquin said he believes that the marijuana confiscated from Sariego is intended for distribution by a certain Gamay de los Santos during the MassKara festival in Bacolod City. Sariego left Manila 10 a.m. on Tuesday on board the St. Peter and arrived at the Banago Port in Bacolod City, 6 a.m. yesterday. He was intercepted and arrested by a team of PDEA operatives led by Inspector Joemarie Occeño while disembarking from the shuttle bus at Bangga Pepsi in Bacolod City.

PDEA investigations show that the marijuana originated from Santo Rosario, La Union, said brought to Manila, for shipment to Bacolod City in Negros Occidental.

Balquin said it took them two weeks to entrap Sariego.

Sariego confessed that he was contracted and paid P5,000 by de los Santos who is listed in the PDEA order of battle of drug personalities, to get the marijuana from a bus terminal in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Balquin said the delivery of marijuana to Bacolod City was arranged by the shipper from La Union, who also prepared vehicles and managed to ship the substance without being detected through a passenger vessel from Manila.

PDEA investigations also showed that Sariego used a fictitious name, " Mark Garcia," in the ship manifest, in what could be an attempt to hide his identity.

Balquin said each kilo of dried marijuana leaves is bought at P1,500 from its main source, and sold at a maximum of P10,000 per kilogram in the market.

The PDEA, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigations, Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies, have maximized their monitoring of the entry of prohibited drugs in Negros Occidental since last month, in connection with the MassKara festival celebration.

Mere possession of more than 500 grams of marijuana is a non-bailable offense and punishable with life imprisonment to death, and fines ranging from P500,000 to P10 million, according to RA 9165, or the Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.*GPB

back to top