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[av_heading heading=’ODICTA SIBLINGS NABBED PDEA seize shabu, guns, cash ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY RUBY SILUBRICO
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ILOILO City – Shabu, guns and money were recovered from the residence of slain suspected drug lord Melvin Odicta Sr. in Barangay Malipayon, City Proper during an early morning raid yesterday of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Odicta’s eldest son, Melvin Jr., was arrested together with two younger brothers and five house helpers. They used the house as a drug den, claimed PDEA.
PDEA also arrested Odicta family lawyer Marbhen Lumbo who questioned the raid processes.
Citing intelligence information, PDEA Region 6 deputy director Levi Ortiz said Melvin Jr. took over his parents’ illegal drug operation.
On Aug. 29 Melvin Sr. and wife Meriam were shot to death by gunmen at the Caticlan jetty port in Malay, Aklan. Investigators believed the killings were linked to illegal drugs but no suspects were identified or arrested.
Melvin Jr., 36, denied being involved in their parents’ alleged illegal drugs business and insisted they were not keeping shabu in the house.
“After the death of the Odicta couple, there was really a lull in their illegal drug business. But lately we received information that Melvin Jr. was the one managing the business now. This was why we searched their house,” said Ortiz.
PDEA secured a search warrant from the Regional Trial Court, Branch 29 under Judge Gloria Madero. The raid was carried out beginning 5:30 a.m. yesterday.
PDEA and the Philippine National Police tagged the slain Melvin Sr. as the drug lord Dragon operating in Iloilo city and province, and nearby provinces.
The Odicta family did not file charges against anyone for the double killings. In a statement, they said they wanted to move on and live peacefully.
PDEA listed the following recoveries from the Odicta residence:
* 19 sachets of shabu
* P300 thousand cash
* .40 pistol with ammunitions
* grenade
* shotgun from Odicta residence security guard Elemio Dumalogdog
* .22 revolver
* handheld radio
* bank checks, and
* joint passbook in the name of Melvin Sr. and Meriam.
Melvin Jr. denied owning the shabu and grenade but admitted that the other firearms were his and these were all properly registered.
Aside from Melvin Jr., PDEA also arrested his brothers Michael, 32, and Daryl, 29; and their five house helpers Rocky Odicta, Rio Pineda, Alexander Yparosa, Paul Flores, and a 16-year-old lad. They were detained at the PDEA Region 6 lockup cell.
PDEA agents also brought to their office for questioning the Odicta residence’s two security guards – Mark Poblacion and Dumalogdog – but later released them.
PDEA said the suspects face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Melvin Jr. faces an additional charge for the grenade found in the house.
PDEA said they were still verifying if the guns recovered were indeed duly registered./PN
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