Ex-OFW arrested with P1.2M shabu

CEBU, Philippines - A former overseas Filipino worker classified as a Level 2 drug pusher was arrested in an entrapment operation at a secluded portion of a commercial area in Barangay Hipodromo, Cebu City yesterday afternoon.

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) – 7 also seized packs of suspected shabu worth P1.2 million from Mary Ann Ruta, 33, a resident of Barangay Mabolo.

Ruta was arrested when she handed a medium pack of shabu to a poseur-buyer in exchange for P10,000.

CIDG-7 chief, Senior Supt. Marlon Tayaba, said they hatched the operation against Ruta after placing her under surveillance for a week.

As agreed during negotiations, Ruta went to the secluded portion of the commercial area at around 2 p.m. to meet the supposed buyer. She reportedly brought with her a small black pouch where the pack of shabu was placed.

Aside from the pack of shabu that Ruta handed to the poseur-buyer, police also found five medium and two large packs of suspected shabu from the pouch she was carrying, as well as cash worth P4,000.

Tayaba said the drugs confiscated weighed 104 grams, which would be worth P1,227,000.

He said that based on the information they received, Ruta could dispose of up to one kilo of shabu in a week.

“So kung ganito na karami, ma-classify na siya as a level two drug pusher,” Tayaba said.

Tayaba said Ruta told them she worked in Japan for a few years and decided to quit her job and returned home, only to engage in the illegal drugs business.

“I asked her kung matagal na siya nito, sabi naman niya ay medyo matagal na raw pero mabilisan na transakyon lang ang ginagawa niya,” Tayaba said.

Ruta refused to issue any statement. She is detained at CIDG-7 pending the filing of charges against her for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Bogo operation

Meanwhile, in an entrapment operation in Bogo City, police arrested a couple and seven others at an alleged drug den the couple allegedly operated.

The operation was carried out at past 11 p.m. in Barangay Don Pedro last Thursday.

Wilfredo Argawanon, 52, and his wife, Joy, 49, were arrested by the police after they sold a pack of shabu to a poseur buyer.

The other people arrested, Edison Bontia, 31; Lester Malait, 24; Eusebio Hernando Jr., 32; Wilson Mapait, 18;  Joel Manatad, 40; Rogelio Ylanan, 31; and Bernabe Romeo Jr., 31, were caught in the act of sniffing shabu.

Gil Pangasi-an, 26, and a certain Jelord, 18, of Pulambato, Bogo City eluded arrest but surrendered subsequently reportedly after learning that they would still be charged even if they were not caught.

Police Officer 1 Moises Cunanan, one of the operatives at the scene, said a poseur-buyer negotiated with Wilfredo but it was reportedly Joy who handed the pack to him.

Police recovered four small packs of suspected shabu, including the subject of the buy-bust from Joy, while the buy-bust money along with a medium pack of suspected shabu worth P80,000 were recovered from Wilfredo.

Drug paraphernalia were also found inside the drug den.

The couple is reportedly on the police station’s list of drug personalities. They were placed under surveillance for almost two weeks before the operation was carried out last Thursday.

“Mao na lang gyud nay ilahang panginabuhian. Aside from that, ana naa silay tindahan. Kinsay mamalit sudlonon man ilaha gibuhat ra nila aron naay rason nga daghan tawo sa ila, kunohay mamalit sa tindahan,” Cunanan said.

Wilfredo told the operatives he got his supply from Lamintak Norte in Medellin town because there was shortage of supply in Bogo when the police launched strings of drug raids and operations in the city. — /JMO (FREEMAN)