4 “drug pushers”fall in buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines — Operatives of the Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) seized about P1.5 million worth of suspected shabu from two suspected drug pushers in Barangay Basak, Mandaue City Friday dawn.

The police identified the suspects as Barbara May Fernandez, a resident of Barangay Calamba, Cebu City, and Raniel Garrido.

DEG Chief Glenn Mayam said that Fernandez is a big player of illegal drugs in the cities of Mandaue and Cebu, while Garrido allegedly is her illegal drug distributor.

Fernadez’s live-in partner is presently jailed at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center (BBRC) for the same violation.

Mayam said that it took them so many hours to negotiate and gain the trust of the suspects to have a transaction with them since they would only transact to known drug personalities.

“Dili man gud ni sila basta-basta mobaligya, dapat sa ila lang kaila,” said Mayam.

Seized from the suspects were one large pack of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 125 grams and has a Dangerous Drugs Board value worth P1,475,000.

Mayam said that Fernandez was already in the drug watch list of the Cebu City Police Office, while the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has been monitoring Garrido.

The arrested suspects are now detained at the MCPO, while the charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are prepared against them.

In a separate buy-bust operation, the girlfriend of Steve Go, alleged big time drug player in Cebu Province, who is currently detained at the Mandaue City Jail, was arrested in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City on Thursday evening together with her cohort.

The suspect, Shaliemar Dela Torre, a resident of Barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City, and Aljie Cabada, 22, a resident of Tabunok, Talisay City, yielded one medium pack of suspected shabu during the operation.

Dela Torre denied that she was involved in illegal drugs. She also denied that Go’s illegal drug trade continues despite being locked up in jail already.

Go was the nephew of former Talisay City councilor Emil Go, who was shot dead in his residence last March 21.

“Ako mismo niingon nga moundang na siya. Ang problema lang kay og naay madakpan kay siya ang itug-an,” said Dela Torre. — GAN (FREEMAN)