P6-M shabu seized in Cavite drug bust

FILE: PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino (Photo: PDEA)

MANILA — Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized PHP6 million worth of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and arrested two Nigerian nationals who are suspected members of the African Drug Syndicate (ADS) in a buy-bust operation in Cavite early Wednesday.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino presented to the media the suspects Solomon Anochiwa, 34, and Desmond Ozoma, 34 , as well as the shabu and marked money that were confiscated from the suspects.

Anochiwa also known as “Brother’’ presently resides at Saudi Arabia Street, Better Living Subdivision, Barangay Don Bosco, Parañaque City while Ozoma gave his addresses at Raya Garden, Bicutan, Parañaque City and Fortanata Village, Parañaque City.

Aquino said the suspects, who are both married to Filipinas, are engaged in various businesses to cover up their drug deals in the country.

Aquino said that around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, the joint operatives of PDEA Regional Office V (PDEA ROV) Camarines Sur Provincial Office under Director Christian Frivaldo and PDEA Regional Office IV-A (PDEA ROIV-A) CALABARZON under Director Archie Grande arrested Anochiwa and Ozoma after they conspired in selling three plastic bags containing 1,011.1 grams of shabu worth PHP6,000,000 to a poseur-buyer along Centennial Road, Kawit, Cavite.

Also seized from the suspects were one mobile phone and one Toyota Altis colored silver, with plate number YAX-234.

“According to intelligence report, Anochiwa and Ozoma are ADS members operating in the Philippines and are actively engaged in large scale distribution of shabu in Bicol Region, CALABARZON and National Capital Region (NCR),” Aquino said.

The name and contact numbers of Anochiwa were acquired through tactical interviews from arrested drug personalities who identified him as their source, following a buy-bust operation along Almeda Highway, Naga City last November 4, 2017.

A drug transaction with Anochiwa and his cohort was immediately hatched by PDEA operatives that led to their capture.

“Besides recruiting Filipinos as drug couriers, ADS members like Anochiwa and Ozoma are actively involved in international drug trafficking using our airports and cyber crimes,” Aquino noted.

Anochiwa and Ozoma are temporarily under the custody of the PDEA ROIV-A jail facility in Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba City, Laguna.

The PDEA chief said the suspects will be facing charges for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II, Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, before the Provincial Prosecutors Office, Imus, Cavite.

Meanwhile, Aquino said that since the agency lead the country’s anti-illegal drug campaign last month has taken 815 operations as of Nov. 8.

“All operations are legit with body camera and along with members media,” he told reporters.

Aquino said the agency has made great strides in being the main office tasked to lead the country’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

The PDEA chief ordered his Regional Director to conduct 30 to 40 operations as they have no choice to level up and to deliver.

“It only show we are serious (and) more operations to come before the end of this year,” Aquino said.

Aquino admitted the work for the 1,000 strong PDEA is made more challenging as the entry of foreign drug groups in the country are made easier by corrupt officials who connive with foreign nationals in the illegal drug deal.

The PDEA chief identified the Chinese Triad, Sinaloa group from Mexico and the ADS are the three major players in the illegal drug business in the country. (PNA)