A “newly identified” drug pusher was arrested last week in a buy-bust operation in the capital town of Virac, the Catanduanes police reported.
A reliable source claimed the suspect, Sir Kingsley Panti Masagca, 39, a jobless resident of Sto. Domingo, was not even in the list of known personalities involved in illegal drugs before his apprehension at the Model Rampa Bar in barangay Rawis at 10:30 PM of March 6, 2024.
Joint elements of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU), the Virac Municipal Police Station, Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) Catanduanes, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Catanduanes pounced on Masagca after he handed over a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover police office who posed as the buyer.
Also confiscated from his possession were another plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride as well as a genuine P500 bill and 25 pieces “boodle” or fake P500 bills used as buy-bust money and an empty black plastic perfume canister.
The inventory was conducted at the bar in the presence of the suspect and mandatory witnesses.
Masagca is now under the custody of the Virac MPS while the drug items were brought to the Provincial Forensic Unit at Camp Francisco Camacho where a laboratory examination confirmed that the granules in the two sachets were indeed shabu with a total weight of 25 grams and a street value of P170,000.00.
The suspect will face twin cases for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or sale and possession of dangerous drugs, before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.
In a statement, the Police Regional Office headed by PBGen. Andre Dizon said the arrest further underscores the extensive efforts of Bicol police in combating illegal drugs, showcasing its dedication and determination to fulfill its mission to safeguard the community from the menace of illicit drugs.