Barangay official nabbed in Pasay City buy-bust operation —police

A barangay councilor or kagawad was arrested Saturday evening in a buy-bust operation of the District Anti-illegal Drugs unit of the Southern Police District in Pasay City.

GMA News reported Sunday that the police arrested kagawad Jordan Garland of Brgy. 43 Zone 6 past 7:45 p.m. along Tramo Sreet as he was allegedly trading with a police asset P5,000 worth of shabu.

Authorities said the suspect also yielded illegal drugs with estimated street value of P70,000.

Being a barangay official, Garland was considered a high-value target, even though he was a street pusher of illegal drugs, police said.

Garland has denied involvement in illegal drug trade, saying he was playing basketball when a police officer approached him last night.

Garland claimed the policeman brought him to the barangay hall in Palanan, Makati where the drugs were already placed.

Also, he said he already surrendered last July under the Oplan Tokhang anti-drug drive to clear his name after learning he was part of a drug watch list.

Meanwhile, police said Garland will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/LBG, GMA News