Over P500T worth of drugs seized; 4 arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Around P500,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized from a suspected bigtime drug pusher along Lucio Drive in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City while another 15 packs of suspected shabu were confiscated in a separate anti-drug operation in Cebu province yesterday.

 Elements of the City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force conducted a buy-bust operation against 34-year-old Raul Reyes, a resident of Barangay Kalunasan, Wednesday afternoon.

 CAIDSOTF chief, Senior Inspector Eunil Avergonzado, said they have negotiated with Reyes for about two to three weeks and finally made the transaction at 5 p.m. last Wednesday.

 He said that they have positioned themselves near the area where the subject of the buy-bust and the police decoy agreed to meet.

 The police ordered a total of 50 grams of suspected shabu from Reyes over the phone which they recovered from him during the operation.  They also confiscated the cell phone of Reyes which contained several text messages related to his illegal activities.

 Avergonzado said that Reyes is considered a level-two drug pusher who can dispose of more than 200 grams of illegal drugs in a week. He also usually sells more than 25 grams in every transaction.

 Reyes, who refused to face the media, temporarily detained at the Cebu City Police Office.

 Meanwhile, Alfred Santiago eluded arrest during a buy-bust operation conducted in his house in Sitio Cantiobong, Barangay Mabasa, Argao Wednesday morning.

 Elements of Argao Police Station confiscated five small sachets of suspected shabu and P200 marked money from Santiago before he fled. The police are still conducting follow-up operations.

 On the same day, Reynaldo Palma was apprehended in an anti-illegal drug operation after he attempted to escape the police at Purok Corals, Barangay Tajao, Pinamungajan Wednesday afternoon.

 Two packs of suspected shabu were seized from Palma who even tried to throw away the illegal drugs during the arrest.

 Palma is currently detained at the Pinamungajan Police Station.

 In a separate incident, Ramerto Pautan, 53, was arrested by the Municipal Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group of Tuburan Police Station in Barangay Daanlungsod, Tuburan Wednesday afternoon.

 Pautan was apprehended after selling one pack of suspected shabu to a police poseur-buyer in exchange of P300.

When he was frisked, another six small packs of suspected shabu were confiscated from Pautan. The buy-bust money and P250 also believed to be proceeds from his illegal activity were also recovered from his pocket.

The four suspects will face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.  (FREEMAN)