Close to P1M in drugs seized

CEBU, Philippines — At least P700,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized in separate buy-bust operations conducted yesterday by the Cebu Intelligence Branch (CIB), Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and members of the Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit.

Isagani Antipal Minguito, 33, a resident of Block 3 Sitio Missionaries, Barangay Suba, Cebu City, yielded seven medium sachets of suspected shabu and P10,000 buy-bust money in an operation held 1:15 a.m. on Wednesday. The illegal drugs weighed 35 grams worth P238,000.

At 2:10 p.m. yesterday, another buy-bust operation led to the arrest of 19-year-old Matt Goemon Binoya Ocampo at Sitio Lower Peace Valley Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

Seized from Ocampo were six small sachets and four medium sachets of suspected shabu weighing 20 grams worth P136,000.

Minguito and Ocampo are detained at the Cebu City Police Office detention cell and will face drug charges for violating Section 5 (selling of shabu) and Section 11 (possession of shabu) of Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

In Barangay Cansaga, Consolacion, Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit members arrested yesterday Herculano Lombres Atrecha, 37, and Walter Alcantara Niepes, 37, both residents of Barangay Lorega, Cebu City for possessing four small sachets and 10 medium sachets believed to be shabu, plus P980 in buy-bust money.

The illegal substance, weighing 52 grams worth P353,600, were brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory Office 7 for forensic examination.

Atrecha and Niepes are detained at the Consolacion Police Station and will face drug charges for violating Section 5 and Section 11 of RA 9165.

Tisa bust

Meanwhile, an entrapment operation led to the arrest of Wenniel Baculi Lumactod, 22, a resident of Chicosan Lower South Hills, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, for selling suspected shabu and for possessing 144.34 grams of the illegal substance worth P1.2 million

On June 1, the Labangon Police Station received a call from a concerned citizen about alleged illegal drug activities of Lumactod in Barangay Tisa. After positive verification, operatives coordinated with the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 and planned a buy-bust operation.

Using P9,000 buy-bust money, the police poseur-buyer bought suspected shabu from Lumactod, who handed over one medium heat-sealed transparent plastic pack containing the alleged drug.

During the operation, Lumactod was with a female companion later identified as Cristina Echavarria, 40, a resident of Barangay Tejero, Cebu City. She was also placed under arrest for illegal possession of suspected shabu.

Lumactod, currently detained at the Cebu City Jail, was charged for violating Sections 5 and Section 11 of RA 9165.

Prosecutor III Rhodna Bacatan recommended no bail for Lumactod’s temporary liberty. — Diane Leizle A. Ganar and Joebelyn P. Carvajal (FREEMAN)