P2.4-M worth illegal drugs seized at Sirawan checkpoint

Despite an additional role to assist the Davao City government in the coronavirus response, the Task Force (TF) Davao also ensures no illegal drugs are sneaked into the city in support to the government’s anti illegal drugs campaign.

On Monday, TF Davao intercepted some P2.4 million worth of illegal drugs at the Sirawan Checkpoint in Toril and arrested the suspects who were on board a white Suzuki vehicle with temporary plate number LAF 4250 from Cotabato City.

TF Davao Commander Col. Consolito Yecla identified the suspects as Ronnie Martinez Jr, 25 years old, resident of Koronadal City, South Cotabato. 

“The suspect was checked at the light vehicle inspection area and requested to open his small sling bag. The duty inspector requested the driver to park at the side, but he drove away from the checkpoint leaving behind his small sling bag at the inspection area,” he said.

Martinez yielded three jumbo size heat-sealed, transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 150.43 grams valued at P2,406,880.

According to Yecla, the suspects drove away when asked to get off from the vehicle for inspection. The vehicle was later found abandoned in front of Gaisano Grand Mall in Toril. One of the suspects rode a tricycle and the other ran towards Barangay Marapangi.

He added that residents and Marapangi barangay tanods saw the suspect who was drenched after crossing a river escaping. The residents initially helped him change clothes before they reported him to authorities who came looking for the suspect.

“We would like to give thanks and attribute this successful apprehension of the suspect to the tanods and residents of Brgy Marapangi. Indeed, they participated in our anti-terror campaign “May Nakita? Dapat Magsalita,” Yecla said.

Yecla was thankful to the residents and the tricycle driver, who gave a ride to the other suspect and handed over the suspect’s wallet to the authorities. 

Yecla said that TF Davao already apprehended 69 persons involving a total of 656.25 grams of Shabu with a street value of 10,436,065 pesos since January this year. 

“We accomplished this without a fatality, and zero human rights violation,” he said.

Yecla stressed that TF Davao will continue its support to anti-illegal drug operations together with their tasks in helping contain Covid-19 pandemic and their task of addressing terrorism. CIO