PCG: A 39-year old construction worker in Masbate was arrested by authorities yesterday for possession of illegal drugs while onboard a motor boat at the fish port of Barangay Pating, Masbate.

The suspect, identified as Richard Zargoza Gabito, was caught by the joint anti-drug enforcement team of the Coast Guard Station (CGS) Masbate, CGS Bapor, Special Operations Unit, CG K9, PNP-Masbate and Philippine Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEA).

CG K9 working dog Uling sniffed the illegal drugs from Gabito who was onboard M/Bca Gilbert 3.

Authorities discovered and confiscated two sachets of shabu from the suspect weighing four and three grams, respectively. 

Further investigation revealed that the heat-sealed sachets contained 25 pieces of the crystalline substance positively identified as shabu. 

The confiscated  items  were  marked  and  sealed  in  the  presence  of  the  respondent  and witnesses. It was later brought to  the  PNP  crime  laboratory  field  office,  Masbate  PPO  for qualitative examination.

Gabito, a resident  of  Brgy  Bol,  Masbate  City, was  placed  under  arrest and subsequently  brought to the Masbate  Police Station  and  was subjected  to  undergo  medical  examination  at the Masbate  City Health Office.

At 4:30 PM of the same date, said joint team returned safe to their proper station.