P1.2M shabu seized in Barangay Suba

CEBU, Philippines - At least P1.2 million worth of shabu was seized by operatives of the Taboan Police Station in a buy-bust operation Friday evening in Barangay Suba, Cebu City, where three were arrested, including a 22-year-old woman and her mother.

Angel Ledesma alias Angel, a resident of Block 5, Magsaysay Street, Barangay Suba and the subject of the operation, was arrested after selling P200 worth of shabu to a poseur-buyer.

 The operatives were able to recover one large transparent plastic pack containing ten medium-sized packs of suspected shabu and another large pack and 65 pieces of small transparent plastic sachets believed to be shabu. Also recovered was P2,100 believed to be proceeds of the illegal drug trade.

 Police Officer 3 Eric Arnido said aside from Ledesma, her mother, Arlene, and Amjun Sable were also arrested since they were at the scene and later yielded illegal drugs. Operatives were able to recover from the two 21 pieces of small sachets believed to be shabu. 

The recovered drugs from the three have an estimate value of P1.2 million, based on the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 conducted a buy-bust operation Friday afternoon against Liliosa Geralao, 66, an alleged drug den maintainer in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City.

 Prior to the operation, surveillance was conducted against Geralao, whose house is beside the residence of slain suspected drug lord Jeffrey "Jaguar" Diaz. 

Aside from Geralao, nine others were arrested inside the alleged drug den, namely: Ronna Aying, 20; Arnold Baron, 43; Jose Larisma, 42; Raffy Jacaban, 26; Alison Balaba, 55; Jesse Gujilde, 37; Jaime Tahanlangit, 36; Carlito Dungog, 47; and Freniel Mapano, 43.

Operatives were able to recover 13 packs believed to be shabu weighing 60 grams with an estimated street value of P192,000, drugs paraphernalia, cell phones, and P309 from the crime scene.

 In Talisay City, six drug personalities were arrested in two separate buy bust operations in Barangays Tabunok and Tanke where more than P79,000 worth of suspected shabu was confiscated.

In Sitio Salvador, Barangay Tanke, a buy-bust operation was conducted around 3:55 a.m. against a certain Jesmar Gaviola, 34, a resident of the place. However, Gaviola was able to elude arrest while his wife was arrested.

PO3 Junyl Ater said they received information about the target's illegal drug trade, which prompted them to conduct surveillance for a few weeks before conducting the operation.

After the exchange of drugs and money, Gaviola's wife, Jeanalyn, attempted to distract the police to let her husband escape.

"Nagbabag-babag man ni ang babaye," he said.

Her husband was able to escape, while Jeanalyn was arrested by the police.

Operatives recovered three big sachets of suspected shabu from Jeanalyn's possession worth around P35,200.

She will be facing charges of obstruction and possession of illegal drugs.

In Barangay San Isidro, Tabunok, police conducted another buy bust operation to apprehend an alleged known drug pusher, Joseph Belleza, 40.

Belleza was immediately arrested after the buy-bust operation while another four, who were in the area and later yielded sachets of alleged shabu, were also arrested.

They were Lingerbert Nacua, 42 and Alexander Paran, 32, both from Barangay Jaclupan, Edgar Enajada, 47, of Barangay Lawaan I and Randal Nardo, 29, from Poblacion, Asturias.

The police recovered five big packs and another 12 medium packs of suspected shabu worth P44,000. (FREEMAN)