Talisay and Lapu-lapu buy-busts: 2 fall, P600T drugs seized

CEBU, Philippines — Almost P600,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized by Consolacion police during a follow-up buy-bust operation in Barangay Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City on Wednesday afternoon, but the subject of the operation eluded arrest.

Last Tuesday, Consolacion police led by Superintendent Mina Domingo arrested a certain Michella Mancio in Barangay Ibabao-Estancia, Mandaue City.

In the investigation that followed, Mancio told police that she got her supply of drugs from a certain Joye Cabahug, a resident of Barangay Dapdap, Compostela.

Consolacion police immediately conducted a follow-up operation against Cabahug on Wednesday.

A police poseur-buyer and Cabahug agreed to meet in Barangay Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City.

During the transaction, however, Cabahug sensed police presence immediately ran and eluded arrest.

Cabahug’s cohort, identified by police as Mildred Palmero, 33, was arrested by the operatives after she was found carrying an estimated 50 grams of suspected shabu with Dangerous Drug Board value of P590,000.

Cabahug, who remains at large, will still be charged together with Palmero for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The operation was a joint effort of members of Consolacion police, the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and Lapu-Lapu City Police Station 3.

In Talisay City, a former fish vendor was arrested through a buy-bust operation in Sitio Tunga, Barangay Tangke on Wednesday afternoon.

Jeneseta Surigao, also known as “Gin-gin,” 57 and a resident of Sitio Tunga, was caught with 12 packs of suspected shabu after the buy-bust transaction was completed.

According to Police Officer 2 Stephen Sefuesca of Talisay City Police, Surigao is a newly identified drug personality. He said that Surigao probably got tired of selling fish and decided to start on the illegal drug trade.

Talisay City Police had received a report that a certain “Gin-gin is selling drugs in the area before they conducted the buy-bust operation.

However, Surigao denied her involvement in the illegal drug trade in an interview with The FREEMAN.

 “Wala tawn ko naninda,” she said.

According to Surigao, she was just in the area when police suddenly approached her and asked her if she was selling illegal drugs.

When she tried to explain, police immediately arrested her.

Bautista is now detained at the Talisay City police station, pending filing of charges. (FREEMAN)