CARMEN, Bohol — A suspected armed drug lord was arrested while close to P1.5 million worth of illegal drugs and two firearms were seized during a buy-bust operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents here yesterday morning.
Lawyer Arcelito Albao, executive officer of NBI-Bohol, identified the suspect as Carlo Tagadi-ad, 38, a resident of Poblacion Sur in this town, whom he described as a drug lord based in Carmen. Also arrested was Ronald Ronquillo, 35, and suspected to be one of Tagadi-ad’s pushers.
Tagadi-ad’s arrest came four days after another alleged drug lord, Eddie Vaño, was arrested at his farmhouse in Barangay Fatima, Carmen on Saturday afternoon.
Tagadi-ad had 10 armed drug pushers working with him, said Albao.
Lawyer Reynan Augustus Oliva, agent in charge of NBI-Bohol field office, said the operation was hatched after the NBI received a complaint from a concerned citizen about the alleged illegal activity of Tagadi-ad.
The NBI sent operatives to conduct surveillance and test-buy operations. After these yielded positive results, the operation was planned.
Albao said Tagadi-ad was arrested about 9:30 a.m. yesterday at his residence by virtue of a search warrant issued by Executive Judge Pacita Sarmiento-Gamutan of Regional Trial Court Branch 51.
During the operation, Tagadi-ad was about to fight back against the raiding team but he was cornered in his room. The NBI agents also picked up Ronquillo who was at Tagadi-ad’s house.
At least 150 grams of suspected “shabu,” valued at P1.5 million based on the Dangerous Drugs Board estimates, were seized from Tagadi-ad, as well as two guns and assorted drug paraphernalia.