Police seize P15M drugs in 2 weeks

CEBU, Philippines – Over P15 million worth of illegal drugs was confiscated in Cebu City in a span of two weeks.

Superintendent Romeo Santander, chief of the City Intelligence Branch, said that the series of successful large-scale drug operations is just part of their intensified anti-illegal drug operations this year.

He added that their doubled efforts against the proliferation of illegal drugs is in accordance with the directive of Police Regional Office – 7 director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Conrad Capa and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

At least nine barangays in Cebu City have been considered seriously affected by the drug problem. These are Barangays Kamagayan, T. Padilla, Lorega, Barrio Luz, Pit-os, Pulang Bato, Talamban, Bacayan, and Duljo Fatima.

Santander said that every police unit is required to arrest at least two drug personalities in a month. He revealed that they are currently eyeing the drug lords following the recent arrests of big-time drug personalities.

Santander said that they have observed that suspected drug pushers recently arrested were mostly female and elderly.

He said that the drug lords may have used them as alternatives for male and young drug dealers like what they used to do before. He added that the successful anti-drug operations will surely affect the supply and demand of illegal drugs in Cebu City.

Among the most recent operations in Cebu resulted in the confiscation of around P1 million worth of shabu from an alleged level two drug pusher, Danilo Arcilla, 42, during a buy-bust operation at Sitio Hi-way, Barangay Pung-ol Sibugay, Cebu City last Wednesday.

City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group chief Senior Inspector Eunil Avergonzado said that Arcilla can dispose 200 grams of shabu every week and sells them mostly in the mountain barangays in Cebu City. The suspect, however, refused to divulge where he gets his supply.

Arcilla was previously arrested for possession of illegal drugs but was able to post bail. Prior to Arcilla’s arrest, the CIB operatives and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also arrested Marilou Sabello, 54, in Barangay Mambaling last Monday.

Around P6 million worth of shabu were recovered from her possession. Sabello can reportedly sell at least 500 grams up to a kilo of shabu each week.

Two days before Sabello’s arrest, the CIB operatives also apprehended Emelyn Dingal, 49, who is an alleged big-time drug pusher, at Sitio Buli, Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City.

The police seized around P1.3 million worth of illegal drugs from Dingal who is considered as a “level one drug pusher” who could dispose almost a kilo of illegal drugs every week.

The police believe that Dingal and Sabella have the same supplier. It could also be remembered that the police confiscated a total of P7 million worth of illegal drugs from a suspected level two drug pusher during a buy-bust operation in Tres de Abril Street, Barangay Labangon, Cebu City on February 27.

Jonathan Cañada, 40, was apprehended by the elements of Regional Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group in his residence.

Cañada used to be a striker or an errand boy for the Civil Security Group of the Philippine National Police. He allegedly gets his drug supply from “Munti Boys.” — (FREEMAN)