A former councilor of Surigao del Norte’s island town of Socorro was arrested in a PHP340,000 drug sting, authorities said Thursday.
Dindo Abellanosa, spokesperson of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Caraga Region (PDEA-13), said Roland Diago Mascardo, 37, was arrested Wednesday in Brgy. Rizal, Socorro.
“Mascardo is a high-value target,” Abellanosa said, adding that PDEA agents and Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDNPPO) personnel carried out the entrapment.
Seized from Mascardo were 50 grams of shabu contained in 11 heat-sealed transparent sachets.
In a separate statement, Col. Renato Mercado, SDNPPO director, said Mascardo is employed as a driver at the municipality of Socorro.
“We will continue to intensify our campaign against illegal drugs and remain relentless in this campaign to protect the spread of this menace,” Mercado said.
The suspect, who is under the custody of the Socorro town police, will be charged with violation of Republic Act No.9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Source: Philippines News Agency
