Police Regional Office-Bicol (PRO5) regional headquarters in Legazpi City, Albay (Photo courtesy of PRO5)
LEGAZPI CITY – Police arrested a member of the notorious Gutierrez drug group in a buy-bust operation in Daet, Camarines Norte on Thursday.
In a report on Friday, Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Police Regional Office-Bicol (PRO-5) spokesperson, identified the suspect as Victorio Villamor, who is listed as a high-value individual.
Authorities seized from Villamor 12 grams of shabu with a standard drug value of PHP81,600.
"Villamor is a member of the Rey Gutierrez drug group, a criminal organization operating in the province of Camarines Norte," Calubaquib said.
She said the arrested suspect and the seized evidence are currently in the custody of the Daet Municipal Police Station for appropriate disposition.
"The suspect will be facing charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002," she added.
The successful operation was conducted by combined personnel of the Daet Municipal Police Station, Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) and 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (1st PMFC), all under the Camarines Norte Provincial Police Office, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bicol (PDEA-5).
In a statement, PRO5 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque reiterated his commitment to the relentless pursuit of anti-illegal drug raids and operations in the region.
Obinque said there will be no respite in PRO5's efforts to combat the drug menace.
"The unit shall relentlessly implement the "Buhay Ingatan, Droga Ayawan" (BIDA) program in the PRO5 fight against drugs. This program is designed not only to address supply reduction but also to focus on demand reduction and rehabilitation of drug users. It shall provide essential support to drug addicts to help them fully transform their lives," he added. (PNA)
