A MECHANIC, a laborer, and a fisherman are now locked in jail after they were arrested for illegal drug possession during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Macabalan, yesterday afternoon.

Agent Jimboy Valderoza, Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration’s Regional Special Enforcement Team spokesperson, identified the suspect as Anthony Aringo, 46, married, presently residing at Accretion but a native of Bicol region; and brothers Renee, 34 and Rey, 32 surname Madrinal, all residing at the said Barangay.

Aringo is a mechanic, Renee is a laborer, and Rey is a fisherman.

They were arrested inside the house of Aringo adjacent to their residence at about 6 pm yesterday by agents of PDEA.

Recovered from them were 10 hot-sealed big plastic bags containing alleged dried marijuana weighing 100 grams with an estimated street value at P12,000.

Also taken from them was a gram of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P6,800, a mobile phone, and drug paraphernalia.

Aringo, according to Valderoza, is considered a high-value target by their office.

While Renee was an ex-convict from Bicol for the same offense and was still waiting for his provisional release papers from the said place where he was arrested.

Meanwhile, Rey said he was not inside the house when the raid was conducted. He said he was washing his clothes outside.

“Nanglaba ko sa gawas, natingala ko kay gubot naman diri sulod busa misulod pud ko. Na, naapil na hinoon kog dakop,” the younger Madrinal said.

However, when asked if he also uses illegal drugs he replied, he already stopped two weeks ago.

Valderoza said marijuana is among the illegal drugs that proliferate now in the city aside from shabu.

He cited its source as coming from the neighboring provinces in Mindanao and Cordillera Administrative Region.

He said drug pushers nowadays are already using high technology in their transaction.

They contacted their clients thru fake Facebook accounts and if the deal is already closed they will send the drugs through a courier.

The suspects are now temporarily detained at the PDEA mini-cell awaiting the filing of cases.