Big-time drug dealer falls in Taguig City raid

The Southern Police District (SPD) has reported the arrest of a member of a major drug syndicate operating in Taguig City.

The Taguig City Police Station -Drug Enforcement Unit carried out a buy-bust operation in Barangay New Lower Bicutan, resulting in the arrest of 52-year-old Joel Tiñga.

Tiñga was identified as a high-value target and a member of the Tiñga Drug Syndicate.

During the operation, 53 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, with an estimated value of P360,000, a green pouch, and the money used in the entrapment were seized.

The confiscated evidence has been forwarded to the SPD Forensic Unit for laboratory testing.

A complaint for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) is being prepared against the suspect and will be filed with the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office.

SPD director Brig. Gen. Leon Victor Rosete stated that the operation was part of the intensified campaign initiated by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) against suspected drug dealers and other criminal elements in Metro Manila.

Law enforcement records show that Tiñga has a history of drug-related offenses.

In September 2016, he was convicted of a drug-related offense and was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, his conviction was appealed before the Court of Appeals, which upheld the decision of the Regional Trial Court.

The Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeals’ decision in June 2021, citing procedural breaches and lapses.

Furthermore, Tiñga was arrested on June 30, 2023, also for selling and possessing illegal drugs.

The Taguig Police was acknowledged for apprehending significant members of the Tiñga drug syndicate and other high-value drug personalities.

Another member of the syndicate, Elisa “Ely” Tiñga, was sentenced to life imprisonment in February 2017. Elisa was the third most wanted person in the list of illegal drug personalities at the time of her arrest.

Additionally, in 2020, a buy-bust operation led to the seizure of over P20 million worth of shabu and the arrest of Patrick Ace Tiñga. In 2023, Bernardo Tiñga, 56, was arrested in an operation conducted by the Taguig City Police, during which more than P95,000 worth of shabu and weapons were seized.