Police say high-value member of Tinga drug syndicate nabbed in Taguig

The Taguig City Police arrested a high-value member of the Tinga drug syndicate during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Lower Bicutan.

Police identified the suspect as Joel Tinga, who was previously sentenced with life imprisonment. He was nabbed along MLQ Street in Barangay Lower Bicutan after he allegedly sold suspected drugs to a police-poseur buyer last week.

"Joel Tiñga's rearrest is a testament to the Philippine National Police’s commitment to eradicating illegal drugs from our community," Taguig Police chief Police Colonel Christopher Olazo said in a press release.

Recovered from the drug operation were eight sachets of suspected illegal drugs estimated to be worth P360,400.

Police said Tinga has a history of drug-related offenses. They said that in September 2016, a regional trial court found him guilty of the offense and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Tinga appealed the conviction before the Court of Appeals, which upheld the Regional Trial Court's decision on May 23, 2018. However, in a June 2021 decision, the Supreme Court overturned the CA decision, noting procedural breaches and lapses.

Police records showed that Tinga was also nabbed last June 30, 2023 for alleged selling and possession of illegal drugs.

In a press briefing Monday, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said that 23,515 drug operations have been conducted as of June 2024. 

These operations resulted in the arrest of 28,804 drug suspects and the seizure of 13,676,000,000 suspected illegal drugs.—Anna Felicia Bajo/KG/AOL, GMA Integrated News