P4.5 million shabu seized; 3 men fallin buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines — Drugs worth P4.5 million were confiscated from three men in a buy-bust operation in Sitio San Roque, Barangay Hipodromo, Cebu City yesterday evening.

Roland Hiwal Cabasaan, 38, who is considered a high-value target in the regional level, and his cousin, Rodel Hiwal Dungog, 24, and Eduardo Chavez, 45, are now detained for possessing 675 grams of shabu.

There were arrested inside Cabasaan’s house.

Police Major Dindo Alaras, Mabolo Police Station chief, said the operation was hatched against Cabasaan, who was placed  under surveillance since November last year.

“It took us some time to conduct the operation because Cabasaan was on and off in the illegal drug trade,” he said.

Cabasaan can allegedly dispose of half kilo of shabu every week in Cebu City and the neighboring cities and towns, said Alaras.

The station chief said Cabasaan had no prior criminal records.

Dungog and Chavez were reportedly Cabasaan’s “sidekicks.”

Alaras said police are conducting an in-depth investigation into the suspects and their illegal business.

“We will check if they are part of a drug syndicate and where they source their drug supply,” he said.

Alaras said the confiscation of the large volume of shabu does not imply that the illegal drug trading in the city is still rampant.  KQD (FREEMAN)