2 nabbed, over P2 million drugs seized

CEBU, Philippines —  Almost P2.12 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated by the authorities in two separate buy-bust operations in Cebu City.

The latest operation was conducted along B. Aranas Street, Barangay San Nicolas, at around 11 p.m. Sunday that resulted in the arrest of Merton Alabra, 18, from Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City.

Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo Jr., Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director, said a total of 300 grams of suspected shabu with estimated value of P2,040,000 were found from the possession of Alabra.

Grijaldo, who was conducting curfew inspection during the buy-bust, said that the suspect was pointed as the source of one of the previously arrested drug personalities of San Nicolas police.

He added that Alabra was only observing the movement of the police before he agreed to transact.

“Maybe he thought that the policemen were too busy, especially with the implementation of the curfew and other measures,” said Grijaldo.

According to Police Major Eduard Sanchez, chief of the San Nicolas police, Alabra was under surveillance for three weeks after they received the reports of his illegal activities.

Sanchez said Alabra was a newly identified regional level high-value individual, who is able to dispose at least 200 grams of shabu a week.

In the interview with the police, Alabra admitted that the seized illegal drugs were his, adding that he has been selling for four months now.

However, Sanchez said that when he was asked where he got the drugs from, Alabra refused to divulge further information.

Sanchez said they will conduct further investigation, especially on the background of the suspect as this may lead them to his drug source and other cohorts.

Lorega Operation

Meanwhile, another buy-bust operation was conducted in Sitio Laguna, Barangay Lorega at around 9 p.m. Sunday.

The elements of City Intelligence Branch (CIB) of CCPO arrested Edgardo Corpez, 41, a resident of the same area where the operation was conducted.

Seized from Corpez were 12 grams of illegal drugs with estimated value of P81,600.

According to CIB chief Police Major Randy Caballes, the suspect was first arrested for illegal drugs and was detained at Cebu City Jail in 2011. He was later transferred in Abuyog Penal Colony in Abuyog, Leyte.

Caballes further stated that Corpez was released this January and returned to the illegal trade.  JMD (FREEMAN)