Cops identify new drug player in recent operation

CEBU, Philippines – The police have identified a new low-value target drug player in the recent anti-illegal drug operation in Sitio Ponce Dos, Barangay Carreta, Cebu City Friday evening.

In a buy-bust operation conducted by the Mabolo and Waterfront Police Stations, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – 7, the authorities attempted to corner a certain Jeng-Jeng Alcover, who was the subject of the operation.

According to Mabolo Police Station Chief Jacinto Mandal, the suspect can dispose at up to 10 grams of shabu per day and can earn about P180,000 a week.

Mandal said there is a possibility that Jeng-Jeng’s level can go up depending on the proximity of the place where he can distribute and the bulk of shabu distributed.

He said Jeng-Jeng’s name kept reappearing for two months during their debriefing investigations among arrested drug suspects.

They were only able to pinpoint his whereabouts with the aid of the Waterfront Police Station where the suspect reportedly peddled illegal drugs within their jurisdiction also.

The team of policemen headed by Mandal positioned themselves around11:40 p.m. and spotted a person who fitted the physical description provided by those they have previously interrogated for their involvement in illegal drugs.

Covert policeman, Police Officer 1 Bryan Coyogue, posed as a buyer of a small piece of plastic shabu worth P2000 from Jeng-Jeng and upon completing the purchase, he signalled his team for back-up to implement the arrest.

Upon sensing that policemen are closing in on him, Jeng-Jeng immediately scampered away and ran towards the interior portion of Barangay Carreta.

The policemen chasing him failed to track him.

Mario Baylosis, 39, considered to be Jeng-Jeng’s trusted man, and Mira Estrada, 49, who reportedly sources her drugs from Jeng-Jeng, however, were arrested.

Confiscated them were seven small sachets of suspected shabu and several other drug paraphernalia.

The suspects are now detained at the Mabolo Police Station, pending the filing of appropriate charges against them, while pieces of evidence confiscated will be transferred to Philippine National Police Crime Lab for examination and inventory. —/GAN (FREEMAN)