Businessman nabbed over P300T shabu in Calamba

CEBU, Philippines - A businessman was arrested after he was confiscated with close to P300,000 worth of suspected shabu in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City last Saturday night.

Danilo Pateño, 45, engaged in making sound system and also has a sari-sari store, was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by operatives of the Cebu City Intelligence Branch.

According to Inspector Gomersendo Mandawe, deputy chief of the CIB, Pateño is a level three drug pusher and has been in the said illegal business for two months yet before he got arrested.

Mandawe said after receiving reports about Pateño’s drug trade, they immediately monitored him which lasted for two weeks.

At past 6 a.m. last Saturday, the police proceeded to the suspect’s house in Sitio Baho, Barangay Calamba where the suspect fell into the trap and sold a small pack of suspected shabu to a police poseur buyer in exchange for P200.

Police seized from the suspect five medium packs and a small pack of suspected shabu that weighed 25 grams and amounted to P295,000, as per Dangerous Drugs Board’s value.

Mandawe said they also recovered drug paraphernalia inside Pateño’s room where he was allegedly repacking shabu prior to the buy-bust operation.

The suspect, during police interrogation, admitted selling illegal drugs allegedly for him to have more money for his sound system business.

Charges for violation of the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the suspect.  (FREEMAN)