Former inmate nabbed again

CEBU, Philippines — About P2.1 million worth of shabu was seized from a former inmate, following a buy-bust operation xx conducted by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Thursday dawn.

Authorities identified the suspect as Jhon Mover, 23, a resident of Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City.

Police Lieutenant Bonifacio Tañola, the team leader and one of those in charge of the operation, said Mover was listed as one of their high-value individuals for drugs at the regional level.

Tañola said Mover's name resurfaced when another arrested person had a previous transaction with the latter.

This information led them to conduct surveillance with Mover to trace down his illegal activities for a month.

Upon his arrest, Mover said he allegedly sourced his drug supply from a certain "amo" inside the Cebu City Jail.

He added that he would just wait for his source's call once the drugs are ready. He was allegedly paid P40,000 once all the drugs were sold.

The suspect was believed to have drug transactions within Cebu City and other neighboring cities and that he could dispose of about one kilo of shabu per week.

Tañola said they are set to verify who his source is.

Recovered from the suspect were 14 heat-sealed transparent plastic packs containing a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu weighing approximately 310 grams with a standard drug value of P2.2 million and other drug paraphernalia.

In 2021, authorities said he was also arrested for similar drug violations but was freed in August.

Mover will face charges for violating Sec. 5 and 11 of Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — Romeo Marantal with Robhe Jane Yara, GAN (FREEMAN)