In Anti-Crime Operations: 133 arrested, over P2M drugs seized

CEBU, Philippines - The campaign against illegal drugs and gambling continues to intensify with police operatives in the cities of Cebu, Toledo and Lapu-Lapu arresting a total of 133 persons with over P2 million drugs seized in addition to illegal gambling machines during operations conducted Wednesday and Thursday.

A total of 121 persons were arrested during the “Oplan Pokemon: One Time Big Time” operation conducted by Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) on June 21-22. During the operations, at least P1.7 million worth of illegal drugs, 14 illegal gambling machines, and illegal firearms were also confiscated.

At least 81 were arrested for possession of illegal-drugs, 27 for illegal-gambling, two for selling illegal drugs to minors, two for possession of illegal drugs, two served with warrants of arrests, one arrested for theft, one for physical injury, four for illegal dispatching, and one for car-napping.

Police recovered a total of 149.42 grams of suspected shabu repacked into different sizes with an estimated worth of P1,763,156.

Also recovered were 14 illegal gambling machines and a total of P4,225 in cash, believed to be proceeds from illegal gambling activities.  A.45 caliber pistol and two .38 caliber revolvers with 17 live ammunition and one magazine were also seized.

Two of the arrested suspects, Espelito Divino and Paulleand Generalao, are considered level two high-value targets. Intelligence reports said they have ties with a certain Jam Diaz, a relative of slain drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz.

The operation lasted more than 24 hours of intensified roving patrol conducted by police personnel from City Intelligence Branch (CIB), City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), and City Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB).

In a separate operation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) -7 operatives arrested six persons in a raid at a hotel along Junquera Street, Barangay Kalubihan Thursday evening.

Arrested were Arvin Ybañez and his cohort, Arnold De Belen, 47. Also arrested were Ma. Angela Babiera, 31; Jenissa Gabica, 28; Dexter Goc-ong, 34; and Adrian Abellana, 37.

Recovered from the suspects were five packs of suspected shabu worth P75,000 and several drug paraphernalia.

Other operations

In Toledo City, an alleged new player in the illegal drug trade was nabbed together with three others in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Luas, Barangay Matab-ang, yesterday morning.

Police identified the new drug personality as Jose Suarez, 29, a resident of Sitio Luas. Police seized from Suarez at least 30 grams of suspected shabu worth P334,000 and a 9mm caliber firearm with 12 live ammunition.

Also arrested during the operation were Charlie Basiles, 29; Glenn Arenas, 18; and Wilfred Acaso, 21. Drug paraphernalia was confiscated from their possession.

Meanwhile, in Lapu-Lapu City, two persons were caught in possession of suspected shabu worth P121,000 in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Buyong, Barangay Maribago, yesterday dawn.

Recovered from Vibyen Pinote, 30, and Joselito Bernales, 49, were 10 packs of suspected shabu and cash worth P800 believed to be proceeds from their illegal drug trade. — Mae Clydyl L. Avila and Ermida Q. Moradas (FREEMAN)