By Jennifer P. Rendon
The bulk of the suspected drug seized from a gun-wielding man turned out to be tawas or alum crystals.
But laboratory results showed that the content of three small sachets, weighing just over a gram, was indeed methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
Thus, Paul Christian Camposano, 20, of Barangay Buga, Leon, would still be facing charges for alarm and scandal and violation of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).
Concerned residents called the police around 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 3 after a man, who was brazenly carrying a paddle, was creating alarm in Barangay Buga, Leon.
Lieutenant John Predic Padilla, Leon police chief, said that the suspect was believed to be drunk during the incident.
When he was later subdued and frisked, he yielded a gun of unknown caliber and several sachets of suspected shabu, which weighed around 40 grams and could have fetched PhP280,000.
Padilla said the suspect admitted to being into illegal drug use but has declared that the big sachet was not shabu.
“We don’t know what was his purpose for carrying a big sachet of tawas with him,” Padilla said.
It was gathered that the suspect is not on the police watchlist of illegal drug personalities.