COPS ARREST FOUR BIG SUPPLIERS OF 'ECSTASY' TABLETS IN MAKATI

Government agents have arrested four suspected drug peddlers, including the
son of a former Pasay City police official, and confiscated from them P.5
million worth of illegal designer drug "Ecstasy" during an entrapment
operation in Makati City.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Assistant Director Lolito Utitco
identified the suspected drug peddlers as Michael Balingit, 28; Oliver
Barcelona, 21; Jose Ozaki, 22, and Don Afrid, 27.

Afrid is the son of former Pasay City police homicide division chief,
retired Senior Supt. Armando Afrid.

Confiscated from the suspects were 200 tablets of "Ecstasy" worth at least
P500,000.

Utitco said agents of the NBI National Capital Region and Anti-Drug Task
Force arrested the four during an entrapment operation at a parking lot at
Glorietta Mall, Ayala Center, Makati City last Friday.

He added the units received information on the quartet's illegal activities
and its being one of the largest suppliers of "Ecstasy" in the Makati area.

After receiving the tip, the units immediately conducted surveillance and
test-buy operations to confirm the report.

The four would be charged with large-scale drug pushing before the Manila
Regional Trial Court.

Meanwhile, two of the suspects' accomplices, Charles Lu and Princess Basco
Lu, managed to escape the entrapment.

The two reportedly abandoned their vehicle, a black Ford Lynx (XBL-122),
and fled on foot on Ayala Avenue when caught by heavy traffic. Utitco said
the NBI is now conducting follow-up operations against the two remaining
suspects. Dennis Gasgonia