BADAC member charged for selling drugs, possession

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended no bail against a member of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) in Barangay Suba, Cebu City arrested for allegedly selling and possessing P2.1 million worth of shabu.

Lourdes Primacio Abella, 43, a resident of Belguim St., Barangay Suba, who is now at the Cebu City Jail, was charged with violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

In an inquest proceeding, Abella opted not to undergo further investigation.

Thus, Assistant City Prosecutor Leah Cruz recommended the filing of cases before the court which City Prosecutor Liceria Lofranco-Rabillas had approved.

In his affidavit, Police Officer 1 Feliciano Yballe, Jr., a member of the Drugs Enforcement Unit (DEU) of Police Station 7, narrated that on January 30, 2019, a concerned citizen appeared before their office.

The concerned citizen informed them of Abella’s alleged illegal drug trade at Sitio Saryo, Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City.

He knew Abella, who happened to be a BADAC member in Barangay Suba, through his cousin, the concerned citizen added.

Abella reportedly moved away her illegal activities to another place because of the intensive campaign against illegal drugs in Barangay Suba.

The concerned citizen alleged he was forced to report the alleged Abella’s illegal activities for their safety because of the presence of reported drug addicts in the area.

Verification was then conducted that turned out positive.

Yballe said after the illegal drug transaction was completed, they placed Abella under arrest. They were able to recover 285.31 grams of shabu from the Abella’s possession.

Meanwhile, about P680,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized from a high value target in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sambag 2, Cebu City last Thursday.

The Drug Enforcement Unit of the Waterfront Police Station led by Senior Inspector Joemar Pomarejos arrested Jeffrey Leopoldo, 36, who was staying in the area for just about a month yet.

Leopoldo was caught in possession of six medium, one large and 19 sachets of illegal drugs weighing 100 grams.

Pomarejos said the operation stemmed from an information they received about Leopoldo’s illegal activities a week prior to his arrest.

The suspect reportedly distributes drugs in the neighboring areas of Barangay Sambag 2, like Colon Street.

Also, Pomarejos said the suspect could dispose 50 grams of illegal drugs per week.

"When our poseur buyer had a transaction with this person sa Colon, nahurot ang iyahang items so the suspect invited our poseur buyer to go to his rented house at Sambag 2, in which didto na recover iyang uban pang drugs," Pomarejos narrated.

Leopoldo is a newly identified drug personality and not included in the police station's watchlist.

The suspect will be facing charges for the violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — Marjory D. Enriquez, USJ-R Intern, GAN, (FREEMAN)