Drug ‘peddler’ falls in Hipodromo bust

CEBU, Philippines - At least P62,000 worth of suspected shabu was confiscated by the police operatives in an anti-illegal drug operation at Ayala Access Road, Barangay Hipodromo, Cebu City on Monday afternoon.

Meelo Saberon, 29, of Sitio Cahipa in the same barangay, was arrested by the operatives of the Cebu City Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group after he allegedly handed over a small sachet of suspected shabu to a police poseur buyer in exchange for P200.

According to Senior Inspector Eunil Avergonzado, CAIDSOTG chief, Saberon is a Level 2 drug pusher who allegedly sells without any hesitance.

Avergonzado said they have received information about Saberon’s alleged illegal activities from a concerned citizen, describing his illegal acts as too showy as Saberon would allegedly sell on the road.

With this, the police immediately monitored Saberon which lasted up to two weeks before they conducted the buy-bust operation.

During the operation, the police were able to seize five small and one medium packs of suspected shabu worth at least P62,000, according to the Dangerous Drugs Board valuation.

Although Avergonzado said they only seized a small amount of illegal drugs, they have noticed during their surveillance that Saberon could allegedly sell at least 300 grams of illegal drugs every week.

Avergonzado also said most of Saberon’s customers are construction workers who are working at construction sites near the area.

He also said Saberon would usually sell suspected shabu every afternoon after lunch time since construction workers only work until 5 p.m.

Saberon is detained in the Cebu City Police Office detention cell and will be facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002. —Ma. Fatima R. Secuya (FREEMAN)