Shooting ensues after Baguio City drug deal gone awry

BAGUIO CITY (November 25, 2024) -- A supposed drug deal, but had gone awry ensued into shooting incident that killed Lucas Agasen Maraneg, 29, from Pinsao Pilot barangay here, and wounding his drug trade partner Sunday night at Happy Homes, Barangay Ferdinand, here.

Police found out that Maraneg aboard an undescribed vehicle with Gino Castillo Banta was stalled by the roadside for engine overheat, when another vehicle driven by Michael Garcia rushed towards them and began shooting.

Maraneg died at the hospital after suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, while Banta was hurt.

Unimpeacheable sources from the anti-drug agency PDEA said, the shooting most likely was a drug deal gone wrong between Garcia, Maraneg and Banta.

Garcia, from Adiwang, Green Valley barangay, here, who is now being hunted by the police, is reportedly a high-stakes drug dealer in Baguio. 

While Banta was caught several months ago along Suello Subdivision, here, in a drug sting operation. Banta was caught with his LTO Flying Squad traffic enforcer uniform on.

The same sources claimed that Garcia and Banta are being monitored for their huge drug deals in the city.