2 nabbed in separate anti-drug operations

CEBU, Philippines - Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 arrested two persons in separate operations in Cebu City and San Fernando town over the weekend for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Gerson Plazo Ombos alias Gerger, 34, a resident of Kamagong Street, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City was arrested on Saturday at around 11:45 p.m. through a search warrant issued by the trial court.

According to PDEA-7 public information officer III Leia Albiar, Ombos was placed under surveillance for almost two months so that authorities can verify the veracity of reports of Ombos' illegal drug operations.

During the search at Ombos' house, PDEA officers were able to seize 13 pieces of transparent plastic sachets believed to be shabu with a total weight of approximately 5 grams with an estimated street value of P8,000.

Aside from 13 sachets, five pieces of transparent plastic sachets with traces of suspected shabu and several drug paraphernalia were also recovered.

Ombos is detained at the PDEA-7 stockade pending the filing of complaints for violations of Sections 11 (illegal possession of dangerous drugs) and 12 (illegal possession of drugs paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 before the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office.

Meanwhile, PDEA-7 operatives arrested yesterday Carlito Sabayton, 52, an alleged drug pusher and member of a drug syndicate.

Sabayton, a resident of Barangay South Poblacion, San Fernando, was under the watchlist of PDEA-7. He was arrested at around 3:30 a.m. through a buy-bust operation.

The operatives were able to recover from Sabayton's possession three pieces of heat-sealed plastic sachets believed to be shabu weighing approximately 12 grams with an estimated street value of P36,000 .

PDEA-7 conducted three months surveillance prior to the operation against Sabayton.

Sabayton will be facing charges for violation of Sections 5 (illegal selling of dangerous drugs) and 11 (illegal possession of dangerous drugs), Article II of RA 9165 before the Prosecutor's Office. — (FREEMAN)