Criminal Gang Leader and accomplices nabbed, over P78K shabu, seized

Camp Major Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet- (July 26, 2021) – The leader of a criminal gang and his two accomplices were arrested after selling bulk sachets of suspected shabu worth Php 78,200.00 in a buy-bust operation conducted along Purok 4, Lopez Jaena, Aurora Hill, Baguio City in the evening of July 25, 2021.

According to reports submitted to the Regional Director, PBGEN RONALD OLIVER LEE disclosed that units from Baguio CPO; RACU-COR; RID-COR; EOD/K9 COR and PDEA- CAR launched the operation that resulted in the arrest of two High-Value Individuals (HVI) identified as Erwin Dela Peña Roc, 30; Briggs Austria Balacdao, 29; and a Street Level Individual (SLI) identified as Paolo Julian Cariño Estacio, 29. 

Same reports revealed that suspect Roc has long been monitored by the operatives for being engaged with the illegal drug trade and theft cases while suspect Balacdao was identified as the Leader of Balacdao Theft Group, a criminal gang operating in Baguio City.

The suspects were arrested after selling 2 bulk sachets of suspected shabu weighing MOL 10 grams with Standard Drug Price (SDP) of Php 68,000.00 to an operative who acted as a poseur buyer.

Further, during the course of arrest, operatives seized another sachet of suspected shabu weighing MOL 1 gram with SDP Php 6,800 from Balacdao, while 0.5 gram with SDP of Php 3,400 was confiscated from Estacio. The cellphones, boodle money, and red Innova vehicle used by the suspects were also seized by the operatives.

Markings and inventory of the confiscated pieces of evidence were done on-site witnessed by Prosecutor Isabelo Oliver Prudencio; Punong Barangay Carlos M Asiatico and Mr. Charles Nikko Limon Jr. of RNG Luzon.

Suspects were brought at DEU BCPO for documentation and proper disposition, while cases for Violation of RA 9165 of Comprehensive Drug Act of 2002 is being prepared for inquest proceeding against the suspects. (PROCOR-PIO)