Man with theft case falls in drug bust

CEBU, Philippines - A 37-year-old man with a pending qualified theft case before the Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 14 was arrested by the police after being allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Edrowin Ornopia, resident of Sitio San Roque, Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, was arrested around 5:15 a.m. yesterday. He yielded some 10 small sachets of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia, said Senior Police Officer 4 Jose Rouel Nalzaro of Pusok Police Station.

Nalzaro said the operation was led by Police Senior Inspector Wayne Magbanua, the station’s police chief, who served Ornopia an arrest warrant issued by Judge Raphael Yrastorza on July 29 last year.

The warrant slapped to Ornopia has a recommended bail bond of P40,000. If the suspect can pay the recommended bail, his case will be dismissed, police said.

Nalzaro said they received reports from a concerned citizen about the suspect’s drug engagement in the area.

“Nakakuha sad mi og info daan nga na-involve na siya og illegal drugs. Pag-serve namo sa warrant, nag-spot check mi. Adto na namo nakuhaan og shabu,” he said.

Nalzaro also said the suspect once got away with a stealing case in Cebu City years back.

Ornopia is now detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and will face charges under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 aside from the theft charges. (FREEMAN)