Eatery yields shabu, 3 pushers fall

CEBU, Philippines - Three men were arrested by the Argao police after several small packets of shabu were confiscated in their possesion during a buy-bust operation Tuesday evening in Barangay Tulic, Argao.

Suspects Nolyn “Mokong” Suico, 32, of Sitio Suba and Joemar “Tigulang” Puerto, 39, of Sitio Looc, both of Barangay Poblacion as well as Joselito “Palot” Ortiza, 47, of Barangay Tulic were at the eatery of the latter during the arrest.

Confiscated from them were ten small packs along with a medium pack of shabu, P500 buy-bust money; P1,690 cash believed to be proceeds of shabu, and several transaction receipts of Palawan Pawnshop and Express Padala money transfer.

    Police said the suspects were actually selling food but transactions of their illegal drug trade were made behind the store. 

During the operation, the police were primarily manning the area in order to determine and establish how the suspects transacted with their customers.

Police Officer 2 Bernie Lao said that it was Ortiza who met their customers and asked how much he would buy. He then accompanied him to Suico who was in charge of giving the shabu before the customer proceeded to Puerto to hand in the payment.

Lao said the transaction was carefully executed that customers of the eatery failed to notice the illegal drug trade.

“Maayo gyud pagkatago kay tan-awn sa gawas mura ra man gyud ug wala,” Lao said.

After the transaction was completed by the police poseur-buyer, the three suspects were handcuffed.

Police tagged the group as level two drug pushers of the barangay. Responding police pointed out that they really had to wait for good timing before the arrest was carried out.

The three suspects are now held in custody at the Argao police stockade while a case for Section 5 of the Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 is being prepared against them. — (FREEMAN)