Authorities arrested an alleged high-value target in a drug buy-bust operation in Malolos and seized illegal drugs worth more than P530,000.
Police identified the suspect as Oliver Paul dela Cruz Mauricio alias “Sampaul,” 32, a business owner and a resident of Felicisima Village, Brgy. Mojon, City of Malolos.
Orlan Mauricio, the father of the suspect, meanwhile alleged that a police officer pointed a gun at him during the arrest.
Mauricio, a correspondent of the Manila Standard, said he woke up upon hearing of a commotion and saw his son being arrested. Mauricio said his son is a police “asset” who was given the 1 gram of drug in case of a “test” buy. He also said the evidence was “planted.”
Authorities said the buy-bust operation was conducted by joint operatives of the Bulacan Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, Bulacan Provincial Intelligence Unit, and Malolos City Police Station.
Based on the report by Bulacan police director Col. Relly B. Arnedo, Bulacan, the suspect transacted with a police officer posing as a buyer. The suspect reportedly handed over one plastic sachet of shabu in exchange for P5,000 which resulted in the arrest of the suspect.
Police said they confiscated from “Sampaul” a piece of a small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu; 1 piece of a medium heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu; 2 pieces large self-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected cocaine; and the 5 pieces of P1,000 bills used as buy-bust money.
Authorities said the estimated 10 grams of suspected shabu has a standard drug price value of P68,000 and the estimated 100 grams of suspected cocaine has a standard drug price value of P530,000.
The suspect and confiscated pieces of evidence were taken to the Bulacan Provincial Forensic Unit for examination, while criminal complaints against the suspect are being prepared for filing in court.