Ambulance driver arrested for drugs

CEBU, Philippines —  A 37-year-old job-order employee of the Provincial Health Office was arrested in an anti-illegal drugs operation in his residence in Toledo City last Thursday.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, Toledo City Police Office chief, said Angie de Gracia, a resident of Barangay Media Once, Toledo City, was arrested in a buy-bust operation around 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

“We conducted two weeks’ surveillance before the operation. We received a report that he was engaged in illegal drugs activity,” she said, adding De Gracia is an ambulance driver of the municipality of Balamban.

Using a P1,000 bill, police operatives bought a medium transparent plastic of suspected shabu from De Gracia. After the transaction was completed, Rafter said they had placed him under arrest.

The suspect did not resist, she added.

Aside from the medium plastic sachet, they were able to recover another 220 grams of suspected shabu from De Gracia’s possession, estimated at P1,496,000. They also found drug paraphernalia and P2,300 in suspected drug money.

Rafter said De Gracia was a new player in the illegal drugs business. Allegedly, his customers are from Pinamungajan town and Toledo City.

When they asked De Gracia where he got his supply, the latter answered from Cebu City. This is now subject for validation, Rafter said.

The suspect is set to face charges before the Toledo City Prosecutor’s Office today for possession and sale of illegal drugs. — BRP (FREEMAN)