CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) MIMAROPA reported four major buy-bust operations that led to the arrest of illegal drug traders and dismantling of drug dens in Oriental Mindoro this year.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency on October 1, 2024, NBI MIMAROPA Regional Director Gelacio D. Bongngat said that “these high impact operations and record-breaking seizures of illegal drugs are part of a broader strategy to reduce drug supply and ensure that the region remains vigilant and proactive against narcotic threats.”
Bongngat said that the series of buy-bust operations was successfully conducted in coordination with the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Earlier this year, NBI reported the arrest of Imelda Causapin, Kenneth Bajeta Mendoza, Andruiz Malapote, and Manuelito Marinay during a buy-bust operation on July 2024, which led to the confiscation of 54 grams of Shabu with an estimated street drug price of ₱189,000, and the dismantling of drug den at Brgy. Poblacion, Bansud town.
A month after, the joint operatives of NBI, PDEA, and PNP hatched the buy-bust operation which resulted in the dismantling of another drug den in Sitio Sintures, Brgy. Inclanay in Pinamalayan town, and the arrest of Eulogio Lozano Caunceran, Jhun Russel Atienza, and Goderick Percilla Terrenal for containing 6.54 grams of Shabu with an estimated amount of ₱20,500 on August 2024.
NBI nabbed another illegal drug trader named Alexi Zamora Goda from Purok 5, Brgy. Malad, Calapan City on September 17, for containing more or less 0.7 gram of suspected Shabu with an estimated street value worth ₱2,100.
Also, the NBI operatives seized in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Panlanao, Brgy. Sagana, Bongabong on September 16 a P34-million worth of shabu, which is considered the biggest drug haul in history in the MIMAROPA region, adding that this operation led to the arrest of Luis Delos Reyes Baes and Lyn Ylagan Baes.
Bongngat vowed that the war against illegal drugs will continue, pointing out that they will relentlessly pursue against those who are engaged in the illegal drug trade in the region. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
