NBI nabs couriers with shabu worth P68 million after deal with Bilibid inmate
By Jeffrey Damicog
Inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City apparently continue to conduct illegal drugs transactions.
After getting wind of one of these transactions, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested two drug couriers last Monday (Jan. 27) in Bacoor City, Cavite.
Agents seized from them 10 kilograms of “first class” methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P68 million.
NBI Deputy Director Antonio Pagatpat identified the arrested couriers as Reynaldo Moral Cordero and Irene Ilaya Biazon.
The two were arrested aboard a 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer along Panapaan 4 in Bacoor by joint operatives of the NBI’s National Capital Region (NCR) and Mimaropa (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) offices.
However, the unidentified driver of the car managed to escape and evade arrest.
NBI agents found inside the car 10 plastic bags of Chinese tea bags containing shabu.
Following the operation, the suspects were presented for inquest last Wednesday (Jan. 29) before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila for violating Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
NBI Mimaropa Director Rommel Vallejo said the operation was conducted after his office received information about illegal drugs transactions at the prison. “Last Sunday, we received information from our informant that a deal of shabu was made with somebody from inside the Bilibid.”
Vallejo said the inmate from Bilibid identified himself as a certain “Kim” whose group is believed to operate within in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
“The person we were able to transact with allegedly was inside the Bilibid,” Vallejo said. “He was the one who offered to deliver the 10 packs of shabu.”
In the meantime, Vallejo said investigation continues to identify who this “Kim” is and where his shabu supply came from.
“It is the subject of our follow-up investigation,” he said. “We already started coordinating with the leadership of the NBP.”