By Mike Crismundo

CAMP COL. RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – A 21-year old criminology student was arrested for possession of marijuana by the police authorities in Barangay 9, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte province Thursday, police reported Friday.

Elements of Cabadbaran City Police Station (CCPS) also reported that the drug enforcement unit (DEU) of CCPS was able to confiscate 20 grams of marijuana from the suspect, whose identity was withheld pending follow-up operations to determine his source.

According to Maj. Renel R. Serrano, head of the Police Regional Office 13 public information office, the suspect was taking up Bachelor of Science in Criminology at a school in Cabadbaran.

He was nabbed in a joint operation of CCPS, Agusan del Norte Provincial Intelligence Branch, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 13, Serrano said.

In a flash report submitted to the regional headquarters of Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) here, the operation was conducted on the strength of search warrant issued by Judge Emmanuel E. Escatron of the Butuan Regional Trial Court.

The suspect and the confiscated marijuana are now under the custody of CCPS in Cabadbaran City.

The suspect is facing charges for violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug of 2002. This should serve as stern warning to all of those who are still involved in illegal drug trade to stop it now or face the full wrath of the law,” PRO 13 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr. said.