The Judiciary Police (PJ) have arrested three non-resident workers from the Philippines for their alleged involvement in drug deals, PJ spokesman Lei Chi Hou said during a special press conference yesterday.
Lei said that upon receiving a tip-off that some Filipinos were selling drugs in Taipa, PJ officers identified a 34-year-old male surnamed Botones as a possible suspect, and later put his home in Taipa under surveillance.
Lei added that the police intercepted Botones when he left the residential building in Taipa on Tuesday morning. They found six packets of ice and one packet of cannabis on him.
The officers later took Botones to his home for further investigation, where they arrested a 31-year-old male suspect surnamed Ronquillo who had purchased drugs from Botones. The third suspect surnamed Agustin, who is in his thirties, whom the police suspected of also being involved in drug deals, was arrested later in the same neighbourhood.
Lei noted that Botones is a worker, Ronguillo a waiter and Agustin a hairdresser.
The officers seized 1.56 grammes of ice and 1.11 grammes of cannabis during the operation, with an estimated street value of 6,300 patacas.
Under questioning, the trio admitted that each of them has a drug habit. Botones also admitted to selling drugs. Urine drug tests conducted on the three individuals showed positive results.
The trio were transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) on Friday, where they face a range of drug-related charges.
Evidence seized from the three Filipino drug suspects including drugs, smartphones, electronic scales and drug-taking paraphernalia is shown during yesterday’s special press conference at the Judiciary Police (PJ) headquarters. – Photo: William Chan
