3 men arrested for illegal drugs

CEBU, Philippines — Two buy-bust operations that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 personnel had conducted resulted in the arrest of three persons and confiscation of suspected illegal drugs worth P761,000.

The first buy-bust operation was conducted along Gallares Street, Barangay Poblacion II, Tagbilaran City, Bohol last Thursday at around 4:45 p.m. that led to the arrest of Peace M. Arocha, 42, a resident of the area.

PDEA-7 Information Officer Leia Albiar said Arocha was placed under surveillance for at least a week along with the case buildup. Albiar added that the arrest of Arocha was based on the information given by a concerned citizen.

Arocha reportedly can dispose of up to five grams of illegal drugs a week. Confiscated during the operation were three packs of suspected shabu weighing more or less two grams worth P13,600.

Cases for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of RA 9165 will be filed against the suspect.

On the same day, two high-value targets were arrested in an operation conducted inside the cemetery of Barangay Carreta, Cebu City.

Arrested in the operation were siblings Dante T. Fernandez, 44, a caretaker, and Danilo T. Fernandez Jr.

Confiscated during the operation were 12 packs of suspected shabu weighing more or less 110 grams with an estimated market value of P748,000.

Cases for violation of Sections 5 (drugs sale), 26 (conspiracy), and 11 (drug possession), Article II of RA 9165, will be filed against the suspects.  GAN (FREEMAN)