Police arrested a suspected drug pusher in a buy-bust operation in Parola compound. He was later identified as the suspect in a shooting incident that occurred there days earlier.
Manila Police District Station 12 Chief Lt. Col. Marlon Mallorca identified the suspects in the drug bust as Joed Sapuiz y Pableo, 36, of Barangay 275, Zone 25, Parola Compound, Binondo, Manila; P.J. Dela Cruz y Tan, 38, a suspected Sputnik gang member, of Barangay 275, Zone 25, Parola Compound, Binondo; and Mary Ann Evaresto y Mejica, 27, also of Parola Compound, Binondo.
The arrests followed a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Unit led by Capt. de Lara. An undercover officer purchased suspected shabu, and arrests were made after the exchange of money and drugs.
Police confiscated about 20 grams of suspected shabu with a Dangerous Drugs Board value of P136,000 and marked money.
The suspects face charges for violating Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 at the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.
Later, Manila Police District intelligence operatives led by Lt. Ferdinand Omli, investigating a shooting incident in Parola, identified Sapuiz as the principal suspect after reviewing CCTV footage.
The shooting occurred in Parola on 14 January 2025. The victim, Jade Basi y Plesario Jr., 25, survived the attack and is recuperating in a hospital.