16-year-old 'drug peddler' charged in court

CEBU, Philippines — For allegedly conspiring with his friend in selling shabu, a 16-year-old boy, who is also being tagged as a big-time drug distributor, is now facing a non-bailable offense before the court.

The minor, a resident of Sitio Back Holy Cross, Barangay Basak-Pardo, Cebu City, and Wilfredo Parides, alias “Tata”, 26, of Sitio Boracay, Barangay Labangon, Cebu City, were charged for violating Section 5 (selling of dangerous drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Operatives of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group said on June 11, 2019, they conducted a buy-bust operation against the accused, leading to the confiscation of at least P1.8 million worth of shabu.

Before that, on May 4, 2019, they received information about the alleged rampant selling of shabu within an area in Barangay Labangon. Surveillance was conducted to verify the report. A confidential informant later helped them prove the reports were accurate.

It was also confirmed that a minor was the illegal drug distributor in the area. He was labeled a big-time distributor who dealt wholesale, with no less than 50 grams up to 300 grams of shabu per transaction, depending on the stock available. 

Operatives coordinated with the minor and said that they will buy 275 grams of shabu.

On June 11, 2019 at around 6 p.m. a buy-bust operation was conducted at Sitio Back Holy Cross. Operatives said after the transaction was completed, they placed the minor and his accomplice under arrest.

During inquest proceedings, both the accused opted not to undergo preliminary investigation to answer the allegations filed against them, instead, they manifested to face the charges in court.

The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office elevated the case to the court after finding probable cause. 

Meanwhile, P68,000 worth of shabu was seized from three suspects during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Cebu Intelligence Branch (CIB) at Purok 3, Lower Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City, around 5:45 p.m. last Thursday.

The suspects were identified as Romeo "Meyot" Capareda Cadungog, 44; Loida Castro Fernandez, 32, and Teodoro "Loloy" Ligan Englatera, 63; all residents of the said place.

CIB operatives led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Carlito Apilat conducted the buy-bust operation which resulted in the arrest of the suspects.

Seized from Cadungog were two small sachets and three medium sachets of suspected shabu and the P200 used as buy-bust money. Fernandez and Englatera were each found with one small sachet of suspected shabu.

All the suspected shabu weighed 10 grams and was value at P68,000.

The suspects are now detained at the Abellana Police Station. They will face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. ­— Mylen P. Manto and Diane Leizle A. Ganar, CNU Comm intern/BRP (FREEMAN)