More minors getting tapped to deal illegal drugs - police

CEBU, Philippines —  Drug pushers continue to use minors in illegal drug activities based on Cebu City Intelligence Unit’s assessment on the anti-illegal drug operations this year.

According to Police Lt. Colonel Randy Caballes, CIU chief, many of those arrested during these police operations were minors were tapped by drug pushers or drug lords to dispose of the illegal drugs.

“Sa stations nga operations, naa sad to silay nakuha nga mga minors, then ang kasagaran gyud karon sa mga drug lords, sa monitoring nato, labi na dira sa nay downtown area, ang gipanggamit nga disposers kay mga minors na,” Caballes said.

For this year alone, at least five minors have been rescued by the police after being used by drug pushers to distribute illegal drugs.

Caballes said that although the involvement of minors in illegal drug trade, at least in the city, is not yet considered rampant, the fact remains that they are being fielded by their bosses.

“Para lang siguro disguise para makalusot,” said Caballes.

As a rule, the minors arrested will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and will be committed at the Operation Second Chance facility.

However, once they turn 18, they will still have to face charges for their involvement, said Caballes.

Intervention

To help address the problem on minors involved in illegal drugs, the Cebu City Police Office will be coordinating with barangay officials to call the attention of minors believed to be involved in illegal drugs.

“With their parents, aron maistorya nila,” said Caballes.

Last Saturday, the CIU rescued a minor during a buy-bust operation along Atillo Street in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City. The minor’s name was among those listed in the regional list of drug watchlist.

Arrested with him was Reggie Delos Santos, 30, an e-bike driver from Sitio Laguna 1, Baranagy Cogon Pardo, Cebu City.

Seized from the both of them were at least P1.7 million of suspected shabu.

According to Caballes, the rescued minor has been involved in illegal drug activities since June 2021. The minor was first introduced into trade by his uncle whose supplier is allegedly a drug lord inside the city jail.

“A certain ‘Jun’ who is his uncle supplied him the illegal drugs to be disposed of in Brgy. Pasil and other neighboring barangays in the downtown areas of Cebu City,” Caballes said, citing the accounts of the minor.

Delos Santos, on the other hand, started with his illegal drug activities early this year when served as collector of money on drug trade, according to Caballes. — JMD (FREEMAN)