Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized P6 million worth of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu in a buy-bust operation in Cavite early Wednesday.
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said the PDEA team also arrested two Nigerian nationals – Solomon Anochiwa, 34, and Desmond Ozoma, 34 who are suspected members of the African Drug Syndicate (ADS).
Anochiwa also known as “Brother’’ presently resides at Saudi Arabia Street, Better Living Subdivision, Barangay Don Bosco, Parañaque City while Ozoma gave his addresses at Raya Garden, Bicutan, Parañaque City and Fortanata Village, Parañaque City.
Aquino said the suspects, who are both married to Filipinas, were engaged in various businesses to cover up their drug deals in the country.
Around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, the joint operatives of PDEA Regional Office V (PDEA ROV) Camarines Sur Provincial Office under Director Christian Frivaldo and PDEA Regional Office IV-A (PDEA ROIV-A) CALABARZON under Director Archie Grande arrested Anochiwa and Ozoma after they conspired in selling three plastic bags containing 1,011.1 grams of shabu to a poseur-buyer along Centennial Road, Kawit, Cavite.
Also seized from the suspects were one mobile phone and one Toyota Altis colored silver, with plate number YAX-234.
“According to intelligence report, Anochiwa and Ozoma are ADS members operating in the Philippines and are actively engaged in large scale distribution of shabu in Bicol Region, CALABARZON and National Capital Region (NCR),” Aquino said.
The name and contact numbers of Anochiwa were acquired through tactical interviews from arrested drug personalities who identified him as their source, following a buy-bust operation along Almeda Highway, Naga City last November 4, 2017.
A drug transaction with Anochiwa and his cohort was immediately hatched by PDEA operatives that led to their capture.
“Besides recruiting Filipinos as drug couriers, ADS members like Anochiwa and Ozoma are actively involved in international drug trafficking using our airports and cyber crimes,” Aquino noted.
Anochiwa and Ozoma are temporarily under the custody of the PDEA ROIV-A jail facility in Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba City, Laguna.
The PDEA chief said the suspects would be charged with violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II, Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, before the Provincial Prosecutors Office, Imus, Cavite. (PNA)
