Businessman ‘sells drugs’, arrested

CEBU, Philippines — A 58-year-old businessman was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Lambug, Badian town yesterday morning.

Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) Deputy Chief Nazareno Emia identified the suspect as Antonio Pimentera, who runs a fishing vessel business in the municipality.

Pimentera, Emia said, was considered a level 1 high value target of the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

Authorities seized from Pimentera two medium packs and one small pack of suspected shabu.

The buy-bust operation was made by operatives from the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, PIB, Provincial Public Safety Company, Regional Special Operation Group-7, and Badian policemen.

Emia said that right after the buy-bust operation was successfully carried out, where Pimentera handed the small pack of shabu, authorities served on him a warrant issued by Honorable Judge Jerry Dicdican of the Regional Trial Court Branch 25 in Danao City for the police to search the suspect’s house in Barangay Dagatan, Badian, Cebu.

During the search, the operatives found the two large packs of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, and a KG9 pistol with bullets.

All the recovered suspected shabu from Pimentera have an estimated value of P259, 600.

Pimentera, allegedly has links with Malabago, Badian Barangay Captain Epifania Divinagracia Alvizo, whom the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 arrested last July during a buy-bust operation.

Emia said Pimentera sourced his illegal drugs supply from the New Bilibid Prison.

There is also a possibility that he’s been using his fishing vessel business as front of his illegal drug trade.

“Ang suspect na ‘to hindi basta-basta nakipag-deal kaninuman. Iyung area of disposal niya ay hindi sa Badian kundi sa neighboring municipalities, including Toledo (City) and Moalboal,” said Emia.

Pimentera is now under the custody of PIB awaiting the filing of appropriate charges.

Meanwhile, one of the top high value targets of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday dawn.

The suspect was identified by the police as Juniel Sungahid, 26, a resident of Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

Sungahid was a level 2 high value target of LLCPO and on the top 8 of the police top priority high value targets of the City.

Also arrested during the operation was Sungahid’s cohort identified as Christine Mae Navales, 24.

Operatives were able to seized at least 5 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value worth P66, 670.

Sungahid was also recovered with one unit of caliber .45 pistol with live ammunition, while Navales was also confiscated with 9mm pistol.

In Cebu City, three street level drug pushers were arrested during police intensified operations against all forms of illegal activities in Sitio Kamalig, Barangay Labangon on Friday afternoon.

The suspects were identified as Narciso Belen, 29; Carlo Gecain, 21; and Jason Elason, 21.

Recovered from the suspects were 15 grams of suspected shabu worth P177, 944.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Talisay City, a street level target was also arrested in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Molave, Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City Thursday afternoon.

Police Officer 1 James Cabrillos, Talisay City Police Office desk officer, said it was the barangay officials who reported the illegal activities of suspect Ruel “Kuwal” Campo, 51, a resident of the place.

Cabrillos said Campo was arrested after he transacted with the poseur buyer for the sale of 22 triangular packs of suspected shabu weighing 1.76 grams and worth P8,800 were seized on his possession. (FREEMAN)