PCG: A suspected drug dealer in Basco, Batanes was busted by the composite team of the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and elements from the Philippine National Police last Saturday, October 3.

Personnel of Coast Guard Station Basco under Coast Guard District North Eastern Luzon and K9-North Eastern Luzon with Coast Guard Watch Dog “Abby” joined PDEA-RO2 and the Batanes Police Provincial Office in implementing three (3) search warrants to three (3) residential properties of a suspected drug dealer, Mr. Rodolfo Cielo Cabas,issued by the Basco Municipal Circuit Trial Court.

The suspect was under close monitoring of PDEA-RO2 until probable cause basing on intelligence report satisfied the court to release warrants for the immediate search of his residences.

With the effort of the composite team to seize illegal drugs on suspect’s residences, they successfully confiscated six (6) sachets of suspected Methamphetamine Hydrochloride also known as “Shabu" and several drug paraphernalia. The suspect was also apprehended in one of the addresses mentioned in the search warrants.

The suspect and evidences are now under the custody of the Batanes Police Provincial Office for proper disposition. A case for violation of Section 11 and 12, Article II of RA 9165 also known as the “ Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” is now being filed at the Prosecutor’s office against the suspect.