MANILA – Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents confiscated 73 kilograms of marijuana, valued at PHP8.7 million, from an abandoned vehicle in La Union province on Monday (13 Jan 2025).
According to PDEA Regional Office 1 (Ilocos) Director Joel Plaza, the marijuana was seized during a search warrant operation at approximately 11 a.m. on January 13, 2025, in the town of Santol.
The authorities recovered 73 rolls of marijuana leaves wrapped in clear plastic bags and tape, as well as the Mitsubishi Delica vehicle, which had been used to transport the illicit drugs.
The two suspects, identified as Felmen Day-os Aliles Jr. (alias Dondon) and Amado Paycao (alias Amado Gante Jr.), both from Barangay Sasaba in Santol, La Union, fled the scene before the operation was carried out. They are currently at large.
PDEA operatives had been monitoring the suspects for several days and had set up an interdiction operation to apprehend them. However, the suspects seemingly anticipated the move and escaped.
The suspects now face charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
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