Drug gang leader arrested in Daet

DAET, Camarines Norte (Oct 14, 2011) - The leader of a notorious gang involved in distribution of illegal drugs falls to the joint operatives of the Camarines Norte Police Office, the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional intelligence unit and this town’s police force.

According to Provincial Police director, Sr. Supt. Roberto B. Fajardo, the suspect identified as Arnold Zantua, alias "Dondong" has long been under surveillance as the leader of the "Zantua Drug group" that distributes shabu in Daet and neighboring towns.

Zantua was finally arrested at a residence in Hollywood St., near the Provincial Hospital, Thursday morning (Oct. 13) on the strength of a search and arrest warrant issued by Executive Judge Roberto Escaro of Daet RTC Branch 38.

High powered firearms and ammunitions, 20 grams of shabu packed in plastic sachets, and cash amounting to P313, 770 were seized from Zantua.

Fajardosaid that aside from violation of the Amended Dangerous Drug Act, Zantua shall also face charges of illegal possession of firearms as the arsenal confiscated from him included 1 Mark IV, Cal. 45 pistol with sr. nos. 277819; 1 ARMSCOR 9-MMpistol with sr. nos. 1232085; 1 Smith and Wesson Cal. 38 revolver with sr. nos. 117353; 1 "paltik" revolver using M-16 ammunition, 1 MK2 Grenade and 2 air rifle.

Back in August this year, Camarines Norte Governor Edgardo Tallado asked Police director Fajardo to direct chiefs of municipal police forces to make a least 2 drug arrests every month after receiving alarming reports rampant shabu trade in Daet, Mercedes, Labo, Jose Panganiban, Paracale and Vinzons - all municipalities in this province.

In September, a 2-day joint police-PDEA operation resulted in the arrests of 4 notorious shabu pushers in the town of Labo. (SONNY SALES)