October 16, 2024
In a significant breakthrough in the fight against illegal drugs, agents from the Regional Special Enforcement Team of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office XI, in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office XI (SEMRO) and Police Precinct 9 (Tugbok Police Station), executed a successful buy-bust operation on October 16, 2024, at approximately 6:06 PM in Barangay Sirawan, Toril, Davao City.
The operation led to the arrest of John Mar Lazaro Lacierda, a 38-year-old heavy equipment manager and resident of Barangay Bunawan, Davao City. Lacierda was apprehended after a PDEA agent, posing as a buyer, purchased one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as “shabu,” weighing approximately one gram and valued at Php 10,000.
In a significant turn of events, law enforcement seized a total of eleven heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu in various sizes during the operation. The total weight of the confiscated drugs was approximately fifty-four grams, with an estimated street value of Php 540,000. The marked money used in the buy-bust was also recovered.
Charges for violations of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) of Article II of Republic Act 9165, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are currently being prepared against Lacierda.
This operation underscores the continued commitment of PDEA and its partner agencies to combat illegal drug activities in the region. The arrest of Lacierda, identified as a high-value target, is a significant step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of the community in Davao City. PDEA officials reiterated the importance of public cooperation in reporting illegal drug activities to further strengthen their operations against drug-related crimes.
