‘Drug-running’ kids rescued

“The suspects are facing criminal charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Syndicates are using children as young as four years old to serve as “drug runners,” authorities revealed yesterday.

This as combined elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) rescued on Friday six four-year-old kids from a syndicate using them in drug drop offs in Muntinlupa City.

Seven members of the Lorena Drug Group (LDG), including their leader, were arrested while the children were turned over to the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The arrested suspects were identified as Cristina Lopena, Marlon Macatuggal, Mark Gil Patriarca, Dandrian Alvarez, Michael Lopena, Virgilio Valdrias and Rejay Lazaga.

The 52-year-old Lorena was tagged as the leader of the group. The youngest member of the LDG was identified as Lazaga, 19.

Police said the syndicate has been operating in Muntinlupa and nearby cities. Armed with arrest warrants, PDEA and PNP units swooped down at the residence of Lorena in Purok 1 in Barangay Sucat early evening of Friday.

The suspects were caught by surprise and were unable to resist arrest by the heavily armed PDEA and PNP personnel.

The law enforcers confiscated 22 sachets containing 30 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with a street value of P204,000; 13 plastic bags containing 30 grams of marijuana worth P12,000, drug paraphernalia and one .38 caliber pistol.

The suspects are facing criminal charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the law on illegal possession of firearms.

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