7 fall in Lapu-Lapu drug busts

CEBU, Philippines — Seven people, including a minor, were arrested in a series of drug buy-bust operations conducted by the operatives of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Sunday afternoon.

The first operation in Sitio Abuno, Barangay Pahak, Lapu-Lapu City resulted in the arrest of Jigger Rentillosa, 26, and a 17-year-old boy. Both are allegedly on the drug watchlist of the city police.

The police seized at least 20 sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P4,000 and a .357 magnum revolver from the suspects. Lapu-Lapu City police chief Col. Carlito Baja said both were placed under surveillance for at least one month before the operation.

Few hours after their arrest, another sting operation in the same barangay resulted in the arrest of Jericho Pino Nardo, 21, resident of Barangay Pahak; and Joelito Vergara, 27, of Cabantan, Cebu City. Both are also in the LCPO drug watchlist. Recovered from them were eight packs of suspected shabu with an estimated value of at least P1,000.

In Sitio Looc, Barangay Maribago, three more drug suspects were arrested. Police identified them as Jorin Tapan,21, a construction worker; Leonard Ledesma, 32 ; and  Ismeraldo Paquibot, Jr., 27.

Confiscated from the said suspects were 25 sachets of suspected shabu with estimated value of at least P6,000.  Police Major Narciso Abapo, chief of Lapu-Lapu Police Station 2,  said the suspects are usually selling drugs to construction workers and laborers.

Narciso said the suspects usually use minors as couriers. All seven arrested persons will face criminal complaints for selling illegal drugs. (FREEMAN)