“Habal-habal” driver nabbed with over P700 thousand shabu

CEBU, Philippines —  A “habal-habal” driver tagged by the police as high-value individual was arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by the operatives of Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) in Spolarium Street, Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City last Thursday evening.

DEU chief Police Major Jonathan Bethoveen Taneo identified the suspect as Jennofer Carpa Lagahid, 25, a resident of Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City.

Taneo said Lagahid was among the drug personalities listed as high-value target in Central Visayas. Anti-narcotics operatives placed Lagahid under surveillance for two weeks before his arrest.

“Gigamit niya nga front as habal-habal driver para disposal og drugs sa area, unya kay di naman kaayo mabantayan ang mga ing-ani nga type of (drug) personalities mao to’ng nakapadayon siyag padako sa iyang duwa (illegal activities),” said Taneo.

Within six months of illegal drug trade, Lagahid was able to establish his areas of operation in Barangays Pasil, Labangon and Pardo. Taneo said Lagahid was also able establish his own network of operation but refused to divulge his contacts.

“Pero sa pagkakaron dili pa lang nato ma divulge, pero naa ni syay mga kauban ani nga iyahang mga disposal,” said Taneo.

Over 100 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P720,800 was confiscated from Lagahid. He will be facing a criminal complaint for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has considered as alarming the discovery of at least five drug dens in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City. Operatives of

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) raided Wednesday the five drug dens in Sitios Jai-Alai and Huyong-Huyong that resulted in the arrest of 19 individuals, including four of the five drug den operators subject of the search warrant.

Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for operations, said the presence of the drug dens in the area is alarming. He said the police are continuously monitoring all the 80 barangays of Cebu City.

Parilla admitted that all barangays in the city are still affected by illegal drugs. — FPL (FREEMAN)