P1.9M shabu seized in Carcar; suspect escapes

CEBU, Philippines - Police seized at least P1.9 million of suspected shabu but failed to arrest their target who eluded arrest yesterday in Barangay Napo, Carcar City, Cebu.

Carcar City police were supposed to arrest Christian Navasca by virtue of an arrest warrant but the suspect managed to escape even before authorities arrived at his shanty where the illegal drugs were reportedly found.

They were able to arrest Navasca’s alleged cohorts, Salvador Dayaro, 39, and Marlon Genandoy, 35.

Navasca has a pending warrant of arrest for three counts of violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Police Officer 2 Philip Rama, warrant subpoena server of Carcar City Police Station, said they immediately went to Sitio Garay in Barangay Napo following a phone call from a concerned citizen that Navasca was sighted in the area.

Upon arrival, they then saw three men inside a shanty and were about to approach them when the three, who apparently noticed their presence, ran in different directions.

They chased the suspects but were only able to corner Dayaro and Genandoy while Navasca eventually escaped.

Inside the shanty, the police found three big packs of suspected shabu weighing 149 grams and five medium-size packs of the same substance weighing 5.8 grams. The drugs reportedly amounted to P1.9 million.

Also confiscated were assorted plastic sachets, a weighing scale, a soldering iron and five surgical scissors.

The suspected illegal drugs are now in the custody of the PNP Crime Laboratory-7 for examination.

A manhunt operation is ongoing against Navasca.

Charges for dangerous drugs possession will be filed on Tuesday against the two arrested suspects. — (FREEMAN)