By U.S. News Agency / Asian

Joint police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives confiscated some 128 kilos of marijuana bricks worth P500,000 at a road checkpoint in Sitio Buga, Barangay Bumbuneg, San Gabriel, La Union early Saturday morning.

Senior Inspector Bernando Mendoza, chief of the San Gabriel police station, said the suspected illegal drug owners, identified as Efren Esteban, 21, of Baguio City; Brendo Baludda, 42, and a certain “Samson,” 16, both of Barangay Bayabas, San Gabriel, La Union, were arrested.

Mendoza said that one of the suspects’ companions, identified as Jordan Paayas, escaped after he jumped off into a 10-foot deep river beside the road.

Before the operation, Mendoza said they received a report about a Delica van (BDA-785) driven by Esteban and loaded with marijuana bricks believed being transported for sale in Baguio City.

Mendoza said that the value of the seized marijuana bricks was based on standard amount per kilo set by the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB).

The suspects are now under police custody while appropriate charges are being prepared against them for filing before the prosecutor’s office.