Drug busts net P5.3M shabu, 4 persons

CEBU, Philippines — Around P5.3 million worth of drugs were seized in two separate anti-illegal drug operations in Cebu City over the weekend.

The operations also netted four suspected drug traders— Jither Parba Bacante, 19; Dave Pearson Cabije, 20; Wenniel Baculi Lumactad, 22; and Cristina Echavarria, 40.

The anti-narcotics operatives of Cebu City Police Office hatched a buy-bust operation against Bacante, a newly-identified drug personality, in Sitio Mahayahay Dos, Barangay Pasil Saturday morning.

Bacante’s cohort, Cabije, was also arrested during the drug sting. Seized from them were 620 grams of shabu worth P4.22 million.

In a separate operation Saturday evening, the police drug enforcement unit of Punta Police Station arrested high-value targets Lumactad and Echavarria in Chicosan Lower Southhills, Barangay Tisa.

Recovered from them were 155 grams of shabu worth around P1.1 million.

The seized drugs were turned over to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory for assessment, tracking and inventory.

All four suspects, on the other hand, will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.

NO BAIL

Meanwhile, the Office of the Cebu City Prosecutor has recommended no bail against 22-year-old Froilan “Tampoy” Kabalican, an alleged big-time illegal drug distributor from Barangay Ermita, Cebu City.

Kabalican was charged for violating Sections 5 (illegal selling of shabu) and 11 (illegal possession of shabu) of Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) before the court.

In an inquest proceeding, Kabalican opted not to answer the accusations filed against him before the Prosecutor’s Office.  Instead, he manifested to face the charges in court.

Hence, Prosecutor III Noel Cellona elevated the case before the court after finding a probable cause.

Operatives from PNP Drug Enforcement Group said they were tipped off about Kabalican’s alleged involvement in drug trade.

Kabalican was placed under surveillance for two weeks prior to his arrest on May 10.

“From April 21 up to 26, we conducted intelligence operations…we found out that alias Tampoy engaged in illegal drug trade and each transaction was in wholesale ranging 50 grams to 400 grams depending on the available stock,” read the police affidavit.

During the buy-bust operation, operatives seized P100,000 marked money and a total of 372.6 grams of shabu from Kabalican.

Kabalican is now detained at the Cebu City Jail. (FREEMAN)