Kalunasan buy-bust: ‘Big-time’ drug pusher falls; P649T shabu seized

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged big-time drug pusher was arrested and nearly P650,000 worth of suspected shabu were confiscated by the police in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City on Thursday.

Operatives of the Cebu City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group arrested 33-year-old Rian Pananganan who was seized with at least P649,000 worth of the illegal drugs.

Senior Inspector Eunil Avergonzado, CAIDSOTG chief, said Pananganan is a level two drug pusher who can sell at least 200 grams of shabu every week. The suspect is also one of the top ten illegal drug personalities in their target list, said Avergonzado.

Avergonzado said it was not easy pinning down Pananganan since the latter allegedly is wise in selling illegal drugs.

According to him, Pananganan does not sell the illegal drugs to those who are strangers to him. The suspect allegedly employs street pushers who are the ones who dispose the packs of shabu to other places.

The CAIDSOTG chief said their surveillance lasted for more than a month before the buy-bust operation against the suspect was conducted on Thursday afternoon.

Since Pananganan is allegedly very skeptical when it comes to his customers, Avergonzado said they asked assistance from someone whom the suspect knows.

The said acquaintance, Avergonzado said, introduced the poseur-buyer to Pananganan, who also fell into the trap.

The suspect was arrested when he handed over a small pack of suspected shabu in exchange for P200.

Police further seized from Pananganan’s possession 17 packs of suspected shabu in various sizes.

The drugs reportedly weighed 55 grams and amounted to P649,000 as per Dangerous Drugs Board value.

Avergonzado said they also found out in their investigation that Pananganan’s boss and supplier of the illegal drugs is from Muntinlupa.

Pananganan will be facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — Ma. Fatima R. Secuya/NSA (FREEMAN)