Drug busts net P2 million shabu

CEBU, Philippines —  In just three hours, illegal drugs worth P2 million were seized in separate buy-bust operations in Barangays Mambaling and Kamputhaw in Cebu City.

Police arrested siblings Patrick Talon Casicas, 29, and Benny Jane Talon, 37, on Gorordo Avenue in Barangay Kamputhaw Thursday night. Seized from them were 110 grams of shabu worth P1.8 million.

Senior Superintendent Royina Garma, Cebu City Police Office director, said the two were not part of their high-value target list.

But Garma believed the siblings worked as drug pushers’ distributors based on the volume of confiscated drugs.

"Di siya talaga yung fine na ready to use. Kailangan dikdikin kasi buo-buo pa ang drugs. Luto na sa pero di pa sya naka-retail. Irerepack pa talaga nila yun para sa street level," said Garma.

But Casicas, in a separate interview, belied the allegation.

He told reporters that his sister is the one selling the drugs, not him. He added that he has a decent job as an installer of electronic gates.

"Di na akoa (drugs). Akong maguwang ang namaligya. Wala man gyud ko ana," he said.

He admitted though that he was a drug user and took custody of the seized drugs. He said the drugs were left to him by a friend, who he did not name, for safekeeping.

Casicas gets P5,000 from a drug dealer in exchange for his service.

"Naa may gamayng income sad mohatag sila og singko mil kada bilin.  Every month naa’y ibilin. Nagbasol na ko run oy," he said.

The FREEMAN tried to get a statement from Benny Jane, but she refused.

Three hours after the said operation, another three drug suspects were apprehended in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Ibabao, Barangay Mambaling.

Suspects were identified as Marivic Gonzalve Deguitos, 29, a resident of the place; Aljay Cantillas Lahaylahay 27, and Rosemarie Delfin Batongbacal, 25, both from Villagonzalo 2, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.

Garma said operatives caught Lahaylahay and Batongbacal having a drug session and seized three and two sachets of drugs, respectively, from the suspects.

Police also confiscated six sachets of shabu from Deguitos.

The 11 sachets of shabu were valued at P708,000.

High-Value Target Charged

Meanwhile, a 26-year-old high-value target is facing charges before the court for allegedly possessing and selling of dangerous drugs.

Jeffrey Jade Cabaron, a resident of Sitio Caimito, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, who was arrested on November 18, 2018, is facing charges for violating Sections 5 (selling of shabu) and 11 (possession of shabu), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act before the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City.

In an inquest proceeding, Cabaron chose not to undergo further investigation to answer the accusations filed against him. Thus, Prosecutor I Russell Busico recommended the filing of cases after finding probable cause.

Police Officer 1 Jemar Castro and his colleagues reportedly received information about Cabaron’s involvement in illegal drug trade.

Police then hatched a buy-bust operation against Cabaron on November 18, 2018, resulting in his arrest.

Aside from the 97.09 grams of shabu, subject of the sale, the operatives were also able to recover more than three kilograms of shabu worth P39 million from the possession of Cabaron.

No bail was recommended for Cabaron’s temporary liberty. — KBQ (FREEMAN)