Buy-busts net P425T in drugs

CEBU, Philippines -  Two separate buy-bust operations in two days resulted to the confiscation of P425,600 worth of prohibited drugs in different barangays in Lapu-Lapu City.

In Sitio Kawayan, Barangay Gun-ob, a trio of suspected drug pushers was arrested by operatives of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-City Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group which yielded P365,800 worth of alleged shabu.

Gerod Albaraccin, 32; Juanita Sadili, 39 and Joegen Apa, 19, were arrested around 3:30 a.m. yesterday.

Police said two small pieces of suspected shabu were confiscated from the possession of Albaraccin, another six medium packs from Sadili and a small pack from Apa.

Drug paraphernalia were also retrieved from them, as well as P400 believed to be proceeds from their illegal transactions.

On Tuesday night, another alleged drug dealer Rey Malingin, 42, was arrested by authorities in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bankal.

Police were able to seize from him five small pieces of suspected shabu and the marked money consisting of a P100 bill and two P50 bills.

Police Inspector Judith Besas of LCPO-CAIDSOTG said a certain Ariel Patalinghug, who was reported to be the owner of the illegal drugs was able to escape after sensing police's arrival.

Prior to the arrest of Malingin, another drug peddler was also nabbed by the police in Sitio Sacred Heart, Barangay Gun-ob on that same day. A small and a medium pack of suspected shabu were found from the possession of Neil Van Montebon, 36. The confiscated drugs reportedly had a street value of P59,800.

According to Besas, the subjects of the three separate entrapment operations were placed under surveillance for a week before the buy-busts were carried out.

The suspects are now detained in Lapu-Lapu City detention cell and are facing complaints in violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.   (FREEMAN)