Thomas Gordon O'Quinn, a Canadian also known by the alias James Toby Martin, is currently detained at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. He has been targeted by an Interpol Red Notice due to his association with illegal drug sales.
In a joint operation of the Regional Intelligence Division of the National Capital Region Police Office, Police Region Office 4A, Tagaytay City Police Station and the BI Fugitive Search Unit, O'Quinn was arrested at the Nurture Spa and Wellness in Brgy Maitim II, Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Confiscated from O'Quinn were two medium-sized plastic sachets of shabu, one medium-sized plastic sachet of cocaine, a small plastic sachet of suspected illegal drug tablets, 14 identification cards with different names but with the suspect's photo on all IDs, four bank cards, seven mobile phones, 14 SIM cards and a wallet containing PHP3,600.
O'Quinn was positively identified by Alajon Michael Zarate, the driver of the van carrying the 1.4 tons of illegal drugs intercepted at a checkpoint in Alitagtag, Batangas on April 15, 2024.
Among the charges O'Quinn faces are violations of Section 11 (Illegal Possession), Article II of Republic Act 9165, and Article 178 (Using Fictitious Name and Concealing True Name) of the Revised Penal Code.
The charges have been filed at the Office of the Prosecutor, Department of Justice in Manila City.
"This successful operation demonstrates the effectiveness of our ongoing collaboration with local and international law enforcement agencies and emphasizes the NCRPO's commitment to dismantling the networks that endanger the public's safety and security," said the PNP-NCRPO in a statement.
(Photos by PNP-NCRPO)
