In a report, Paniqui police chief Supt. Salvador Destura Jr. identified the suspect as Dr. Epifanio Cabalu Castro, 54, who was nabbed red-handed possessing around eight grams of shabu.
Paniqui police had listed him as the “Number 1 top drug personality” in the town.
Castro’s arrest was based on a court search warrant.
Cops who were tasked to serve the warrant also found a digital micro-weighing scale, drug paraphernalia and empty plastic sachets apparently for packaging shabu littered all over his house.
“It seems drugs destroyed his life. His addiction prevented him from practicing his profession and so he went into drug trading,” said Inspector Marty Calara who led a monthlong surveillance on Castro.
Also arrested with Castro were his live-in partner Rufino Divina Fernandez, 49, from Barangay San Miguel in San Manuel town, and Sarhani Rumpun Diko, 18, from Purok 4 Extension, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Castro, who is listed as No. 1 in the municipal targeted drug personalities, said Diko is the runner of his supplier from Metro Manila whom he identified only as Alex.
Castro admitted to police he had been selling shabu which he started to use since 1995.
Police records showed he was previously arrested for possession of illegal drugs in 2012 in San Manuel town and was released from jail only last year.
Tarlac Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Alex Sintin commended Destura and Calara for the arrest of Castro.
“Dr. Castro is the top drug personality of Paniqui so I commend the police officers responsible for his arrest,” said Sintin.
