Close to P2 million drugs seized in buy-busts

CEBU, Philippines — A high-value target (HVT) and his alleged cohort yielded P1.8 million worth of illegal drugs during a buy-bust operation at Hervas Compound, Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City yesterday morning.

The subject of the operation was identified as Jefferson Gallarde, 47, and his companion, Eutemio Hervas, 42, both are residents of the place.

The operatives confiscated five large, 25 medium and five small packs of suspected shabu, an Ingram with seven live bullets, a weighing scale and drug paraphernalia.

The confiscated shabu is valued at P1.8 million. The police also seized marijuana from Hervas.

Senior Inspector Alejandro Batobalonos of the Cebu Provincial Police Office’s PIB said Gallarde had been on their list for a long time.

Batobalonos said Gallarde has a warrant of arrest for murder in Tuburan, Cebu.

Gallarde allegedly hid in the cities of Cebu and Talisay, until authorities pinned him down.

The shabu allegedly seized from Gallarde has reportedly the same quality as those seized from Valdez brothers, who were killed in Barangay Jaclupan, Talisay City a few weeks ago.

Gallarde denied owning the seized items and gun.

Hervas, for his part, admitted the marijuana confiscated from his possession.

Charged

Meanwhile, a 38-year-old man, who was allegedly in possession of at least P3.3 million worth of shabu, is facing a non-bailable offense before the court.

Prosecutor III Rhodna Alcala-Bacatan held Freddie Briones, a resident of Cabancalan 1, Bulacao Pardo, Cebu City, for trial for violations of Sections 5 (illegal selling of shabu) and 11 (illegal possession of shabu), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

In an inquest proceeding, Briones opted not to answer the allegations filed against him before the city prosecutor's office.

Instead, he manifested to face the charge in court.

In his affidavit, Police Officer 3 Dexter Costellas of the City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office said that on December 6, 2018, an informant appeared before their office and reported that a certain Freddie enticed him to look for a buyer of shabu.

For every customer, he will be given a commission, the informant said.

Costellas said that a buy-bust operation was conducted on the same day.

Together with the informant, Costellas bought shabu from Briones.

Costellas said aside from the subject of sale 4.6308 grams of shabu, they were able to confiscate 487.7345 grams of shabu from Briones' possession.

Siblings Caught

Meanwhile, two siblings were nabbed in a buy-bust operation last Thursday evening at Sitio Cabancalan II, Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City.

Elements of the Pardo Police Station led by Chief Inspector Regino Maramag Jr. arrested Junnef Gardaban, 33, and Ryan Gardaban, 29, both residents of the area.

Junnef, the subject of the buy-bust, was under surveillance for three days prior to the conduct of the operation.

Chief Inspector Regino Maramag Jr. of the Pardo Police Station said they received a report on Junnef's illegal activities through their program “Itug-an ni CD.”

Maramag said the suspect has disclosed his drug source during their interrogation.

"Ang ingon niya, katong recent lang nga namatay didto sa Talisay, katong nagpinusilay, mao iyahang amo sa una," said Maramag.

Seized from Junnef were two triangular plastic sachets of illegal drugs, one of which was the subject of sale, and two transparent plastic sachets of illegal drugs weighing eight grams valued at P54,400.

The police also recovered a .38 Smith and Wesson gun with three live ammunitions from Ryan who was present during the operation.

Junnef will be facing a complaint for violating Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, while Ryan will be charged with violating RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Carreta and Labangon

Meanwhile, the police also arrested eight people, including two minors, during separate buy-bust operations in Barangays Carreta and Labangon last Thursday.

The suspects arrested in the Carreta operation were identified as Jessica “Kika” Fernandez Orongan, 22, along with two male minors aged 15 and 16.  The three are staying inside the Chinese Cemetery in Barangay Carreta.

Confiscated from them were 12 sachets of suspected shabu, two .38 caliber revolver and six live bullets.

In a separate buy-bust operation conducted by the operatives of the Punta Police Station, Nicolas Verdida Custodio, 32, Jhoana Chica Prajes, 55, Willy Zafra Bautista, 41,  and brothers Rosilo and Ronilo Pacaldo Olvido were arrested in Barangay Labangon.

The police also confiscated a gun from Ronilo.

Punta Police Chief Kieth Andaya said both Custodio and Bautista were on the drugs watchlist.

The illegal drugs retrieved by the police on the separate operations in Bliss and Bugnay 2 in Barangay Labangon weighed around 5.33 and 5 grams, respectively.

Andaya added that the source of those arrested in Labangon allegedly was Layme Parba, who was killed in a shootout with the police during a buy-bust operation on Christmas day in Sitio Manol, Barangay Tisa. — Mylen P. Manto, Marjory Enriquez, Imarie Jane D. Madarieta, USJ-R Intern, GAN (FREEMAN)