PDEA nets P6-million shabu, powerful guns in buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines - More than a kilo of shabu, high-powered firearms and a rifle grenade were seized by operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 in a buy-bust operation along Katipunan Street, Barangay Labangon, Cebu City Sunday evening.

PDEA-7 Director Yogi Ruiz said his men arrested Roy Estrera, 38, resident of Barangay Guadalupe, and Erwin Anthony Abellana of Barangay Sambag II around 6 p.m. that day.

Ruiz said the two suspects were drug distributors and members of a drug group that Josha Bucog leads.

Bucog eluded arrest during the operation.

Bucog’s drug group is said to be armed when it transacts drugs and its members are also involved in a “gun-for-hire” business, which they use as a scare tactic to their customers, Ruiz added.

The drug group was under PDEA’s surveillance since November of last year.

Seized from Estrera and Abellana were a .45 colt caliber, a cal .9mm Ingram, four 40 mm rifle grenade and live ammunitions of .45 pistol and a .9mm pistol.

Also confiscated was about 1,600 grams of suspected shabu worth P6.3 million, according to Ruiz.

Ruiz said they have yet to determine the drug supplier of the suspects.

Both Estrera and Abellana are now detained at PDEA’s holding cell pending the filing of the complaints for violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against them. (FREEMAN)