P3.1 million shabu seized in sting operations

CEBU, Philippines — Around P3.1 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated from five arrested suspects in separate buy-bust operations in the City and the Province of Cebu.

Among those arrested are two high-value individuals and one individual listed in the top 10 most wanted persons for illegal drug trading.

At around 12:15 p.m. yesterday, a buy-bust operation was conducted in Tisa, Cebu City that resulted into the arrest of a certain Ramon Villamor.

The operation yielded 90 grams of suspected shabu with estimated value of P612,000.

At around 12:30 a.m. yesterday, a buy-bust operation was also conducted in Purok Rose, San Antonio, Jubay, Liloan by the members of the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) of Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO).

Police Lt. Colonel Randy Korret, chief of the PIU, identified the arrested suspect as certain Antonio Rico Completado, 41, HVI from Tigbawan, Tabuelan, Cebu.

Also arrested was Contemplado's cohort identified as certain Christian Padro Villarosa, 18.

A certain Aljif Frasco, also identified as HVI listed in the provincial data base, has eluded the arrest.

Seized from the suspects were 18 grams of suspected shabu with estimated value of P122,400.

At around 4:40 a.m yesterday, another buy-bust operation was conducted by the members of Police Station 10 in Sitio Sambagan, A. Lopez, Labangon, Cebu City that resulted into the arrest of another HVI.

Authorities identified the arrested suspect as certain Jelou Dullano, 27, a resident of Calamba, Cebu City.

Confiscated from him were 325 grams of suspected shabu with estimated value of at least P2.2 million.

Meanwhile, at around 9:30 p.m. Monday, the members of the Cebu City Police Intelligence Unit have conducted a buy-bust operation that resulted into the arrest of an individual listed in the top 10 illegal drug personality.

Police Major Randy Caballes, chief of the Intelligence Unit, identified the arrested suspect as certain Edward Villafuerte,48, a resident of Sitio Nava, Alaska, Mambaling, Cebu City.

Confiscated from Villafuerte were 35 grams of shabu with estimated value P238,000.

According to Caballes, Villafuerte was monitored for more than a week before they conducted the operation.

"He started selling illegal drugs last 2015 in which he can dispose more or less 40-50 small sachets of illegal drugs in Colon St., Cebu City at the same time he works as a dispatcher in the said area," Caballes told reporters.

Initial investigation revealed that last month, the suspect was reportedly introduced to a “known drug personality” where he was supplied with 200 to 300 grams per week.

"Area of Operation: Mambaling and Duljo area and in Colon Street, Cebu City. Some of his customers are prostitutes in downtown area," said Caballes. — GMR (FREEMAN)