LIGHTNING STRUCK illegal drug dealers twice in the Metro Clark area last week.

On Sunday, January 29, police operatives led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group seized some 156 kilos of marijuana and hashish, with a street value of P7 million, in a drug bust at the Dau bus terminal in Mabalacat.

The operation also led to the arrest of three members of the so-called Kamot Gang, which the police identified as a major dealer of marijuana and hashish in Central Luzon, Metro Manila and Cavite.

The suspects were identified as Catherine Lamog, 44, reportedly the leader of the syndicate, and Julie Bagcas, 37, both of Barangay Mainitin Bontoc, Mt. Province; and Yolanda Adaol, 42, of Loccong, Tinglayan in Kalinga province.

The places of their residences indicate the very source of the illegal commodity they traded.    

On Tuesday, January 31, it was reported that joint security operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Customs and airport security intercepted eight kilos of shabu, with a street value of P40 million, at the Clark International Airport.

The contraband was taken from one Marvin Sia, identified as a Filipino-Chinese businessman of Quezon City.

He reportedly came from China.

Even as we join the local community in commending this signal accomplishment of our authorities in the war against illegal drugs, we take cognizance of the pivotal position the Metro Clark area serve in drug trafficking.

The volume of the illegal drug haul, the scene of drug-bust operations – bus terminal and airport – clearly indicate the Metro Clark area as being both transhipment point and premium market in the illegal drug trade.

Hence the need for the PDEA, our police authorities, Customs, as well as our local government units to exert greater vigilance.