LAOAG CITY (May 20) — Supt. Edwin Balles, city police chief, said that based on the list of arrested persons involved in illegal drug trade in this city, at least five tricycle drivers are included in the roll.
He said their number still does not indicate an alarming situation.
“Yung bilang, I think, is not that high to be considered alarming,” he said.
He assured the public that they will further investigate on the drivers’ drug activities since “these (suspects) are involved in public conveyance.”
They pose risk to passengers if they are using drugs or involved in illegal drug trade, he said.
Police record showed that on January 21, a tricycle operator was arrested for alleged illegal drug trade.
Last February 17, a trike driver from San Nicolas, was arrested in this city for drugs.
On May 17, two tricycle drivers, residents of Brgy Cabungaan and Brgy. 39, Laoag City, respectively were arrested for illegal trug trade in Brgy. Mangato West, of this city.
Seized in their possession by police operatives were suspected shabu of about 5.28 grams with an estimated street value of P31,680.00.
The latest arrest happened on May 19, when a drug suspect was taken into custody by police operatives for illegal drug trade.
The suspect was the subject of an anti-drug operation. He was caught in possesion of three sachets containing suspected shabu, and several drug paraphernalia.
Balles admitted that some trycicle drivers were previously drug users but now became drug pushers to sustain their vices.
Meanwhile, in another buy-bust opertion, a former school instructor was arrested by police operatives.
Police seized in his possession a sachet containing suspected shabu. (tsg)
