METROPOLICE: ‘Drug peddler’ collared

CEBU, Philippines - An anti-illegal drug group collared a suspected drug pusher in Mahusay Compound, Sitio Malingin, Barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City Monday evening.

Erwin Costura, 32, resident of the area, was arrested in a buy-bust operation staged around 7 p.m. by Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group.

Police Senior Inspector Virnino Serale said Costura is a PUJ driver and a level 3 drug pusher.

Serale added that Costura was arrested after a police poseur buyer confirmed the drug transaction.

Some 20 small packs of suspected shabu were recovered from Costura's possession. Also seized from him were a .38 cal. firearm with five live ammunitions drug paraphernalia and the P200 peso bill that served as marked money in the operation.

The suspect is temporarily detained at Lapu-Lapu City Detention Cell and according to Serale, Costura will be charged for illegal possession of firearms and illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In Mandaue City, three persons after operatives of Opao Police Station conducted the operation Tuesday afternoon in Catalino Street, Barangay Looc.

Mardonio Soco, 19, a resident of the place, was the first to be arrested after he allegedly handed one small pack of suspected shabu in exchange for P200 marked money from a police decoy.

After his arrest, the police frisked the suspect and he reportedly yielded an additional 20 small packs of shabu and a .9mm pistol with six live ammunition.

His two visitors Maria Victoria Linggal, 33, of Barangay Cambaro and her companion Darwin Taruna, 37, were also arrested. A small pack of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia were seized from Linggal, police said. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)