CAMP DANGWA, Benguet-- A tipster has led the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency- Cordillera Administrative Region (PDEA-CAR) to the siezure of P2.5 million worth of marijuana bricks and the arrest of a member of a leading drug group here.

Authorities identified the arrested suspect as James De Leon Bagtang, 26, single, 1st Year high school level, farmer, native and resident of Tuplac, Pudong, Kapangan, Benguet.

He was arrested on June 7, in a buy-bust operation conducted by PDEA-CAR at a waiting shed in Bangho, Daclan, Tublay, Benguet, while in the act of delivering one hundred marijuana blocks with an estimated volume of one hundred kilos to PDEA personnel who acted as buyers of the illegal drug.

Investigation revealed that Bagtang is one of the most trusted aides of the drug syndicate head making significant deals with clients from Baguio City and Pampanga province.

According to the investigation, Bagtang's, recent transaction prior to his arrest was the sale of P5 million worth of marijauana bricks to a client.

Bagtang told investigators that the marijuana is cultivated in the town of Kibungan and processed into bricks in the town of Kapangan in Benguet.

A case for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) of Republic Act 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) was filed today, June 8, 2010, by the PDEA – CAR agent-affiants against Bagtang before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Benguet, docketed under IS Number I-05-INQ-10F-587. Meanwhile, the accused is now detained at the Benguet Provincial Jail.

The accomplishment was a result of the information provided to the Benguet Special Enforcement Team (SET) of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) by a responsible citizen who daringly opted to be involved in the government’s Operation “Private Eye”.

Under the Operation “Private Eye”, one can report an illegal drug activity and earn a commensurate monetary reward.--Emely Cayandag-Fama