3 peddlers transporting P4.3M marijuana arrested in Lubuagan, Kalinga

Lubuagan, Kalinga – Following the arrest of four marijuana runners on February 22, three others were also arrested over the weekend in the same case.

The suspects, whose names were withheld, are residents of Paso Deblas, Valenzuela, according to Kalinga police.

They were arrested for ferrying P4.32 million worth of marijuana at Sitio Dinakan, Barangay Dangoy, Lubuagan, Kalinga.

They were aboard a speeding, dark-red Toyota Rush with plate number NHJ7808 when they were about to pass by the area on the said day.

Efforts to stop the vehicle were made by the police, but the driver resisted. Instead of stopping the vehicle, the driver accelerated, resulting in the vehicle colliding with the checkpoint signage.

The incident eventually forced them to stop.

The driver, along with his companions, was later arrested for resistance and disobedience to a person in authority. Prior to their arrest, the suspects were first informed of their constitutional rights.

Authorities conducted a search of both the suspects and the vehicle, leading to the discovery of the contraband—35 pieces of marijuana bricks and one tubular of marijuana weighing 36 kilograms.

The search was conducted in the presence of insulating witnesses.

In addition to the contraband, authorities seized from the suspects the vehicle, a key, a copy of an Official Receipt/Certificate of Registration, four pieces of identification cards, and a Realme 5i cellular phone.

The pieces of evidence were transported to the Lubuagan Municipal Police Station for documentation and the filing of appropriate charges.