P21 million shabu seized, P1 million weed destroyed

CEBU, Philippines —  Police seized over P21 million worth of shabu and uprooted 2,650 stalks of fully-grown marijuana plants worth P1 million in separate operations in Cebu City.

Operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) arrested 35-year-old Elmer Bas Gallarde, who is listed on the police’s drug watch list as a regional level drug personality, in a buy-bust operation on 6th Street, Barangay Apas yesterday afternoon.

Recovered from Gallarde were drugs weighing three kilograms worth over P20 million. Gallarde is a resident of Barangay Sawang Calero.

Police Captain Jonathan Taneo, CCPO-CDEU chief, said Gallarde is known as a “bodegero,” the trusted delivery man between the drug lord and drug pushers or retailers.

Police are set to file charges against Gallarde for violating Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In a separate operation on Wednesday night, P1 million worth of shabu was seized by elements of the Cebu City Intelligence Branch of CCPO.

The 135 grams of shabu were recovered from Rosario Morales Mindoro, 54, a resident of Sitio Lower Kawayan, Barangay Sambag 2.

Mindoro, who was arrested during the buy-bust operation, was classified as a high-value target.

Marijuana

On the other hand, the marijuana plantations were discovered in remote areas in Sitio Bayabas, Adlaon, a mountain village. The first plantation is about 15 kilometers away from the second plantation.

The alleged marijuana cultivator was only identified as alias Elyot, who remains at large. The suspect is reportedly not a native of Barangay Adlaon.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Randy Korret, Cebu City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) chief, said the cannabis plants were planted three months ago based on the reports by some farmers and barangay officials.

The plants were immediately burned down by members of the CMFC of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Despite the recent discovery of marijuana plantations, Korret claimed that the supply of marijuana has decreased. He, however, did not elaborate on his claim.

The operation on Wednesday afternoon was part of CMFC’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs. KQD (FREEMAN)