Lapu-Lapu police net half-million in drugs

CEBU, Philippines – Police seized an estimated P532,000 worth of suspected shabu in separate anti-drug operations in Lapu-Lapu City in two days.

Around 9:30 a.m. yesterday, Junrey Aton, 32, and Chielo Villarosa, 35,  residents of Barangay Mactan, were arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-City Inteliegence Branch in Sitio Bagumbayan Dos, Barangay Maribago.

Police Senior Inspector Verniño Noserale, chief of LCPO-CIB, said two medium packs and 10 small sachets of suspected shabu, as well as a .38 caliber revolver were seized from Aton.

Another two medium packs of suspected shabu were confiscated from Villarosa. He also yielded a .45 caliber pistol.

The estimated worth of drugs seized by police was around P300,000, according to Dangerous Drugs Board valuation.

Meanwhile, at around 4:45 p.m Thursday, Ruben Cabatingan, 37, resident of Sitio Iba, Barangay Basak, was arrested in Sitio Suba-Masulog in the same barangay during a security checkpoint conducted by Basak Police Station.

Police Officer 3 Giovanni Babano said Cabatingan, who is a native of Kapatagan, Davao del Sur, was onboard his motorcycle with plate number 5239-LO, allegedly carrying a .38 caliber revolver with five live ammunition rounds.

When suspects frisked him, he also yielded four medium packs and five small sachets of suspected shabu.

The illegal drugs confiscated from Cabatingan was estimated to be worth P106,000, said Babano.

The responding police officers also confiscated a digital weighing scale,  a gun holster and Cabatingan's mobile phone.

Few hours passed, a father-and-son tandem was arrested  in Purok Super Sunlight, Barangay Babag in a buy-bust operation conducted by LCPO-CIB.

Efren Tampus, 31, who was one of the city's 10 priority drug personalities, was arrested around 8:30 p.m. Also picked up was his father Rene Tampus, 50. They are both residents of the area.

Noserale said a sling bag, one medium pack and  22 small sachets of suspected shabu were confiscated from Efren's possession.

Alleged proceeds of the illegal activity amounting to P620 were also seized, Noserale said.

A pouch and another medium pack of prohibited drugs were confiscated from Rene.

The illegal drugs seized from the father and son had an estimated worth of P126,000.

All four suspects were detained in LCPO holding cell and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (FREEMAN)