P1 million shabu seized after suspect squeals

CEBU, Philippines — Police in Consolacion town recovered 100 grams of shabu worth P1 million from a culvert in Barangay Pulpogan following a disclosure by a drug suspect arrested Thursday night during a buy-bust operation.

Consolacion police chief, Chief Insp. Gerard Ace Pelare, said drug suspect Cris Ortega disclosed the location of the shabu during tactical interrogation.

"Ato lang siyang gihinay-hinay og estorya nga motug-an kay para makatabang sa gobyerno kay nadakpan naman gyud siya, nya Section 5 iyang kaso," Pelare said.

Section 5 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act “penalizes any person who participates in the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of any dangerous drugs.”

Immediately after Ortega’s disclosure, Pelare’s team conducted a follow-up operation and recovered the four large packs of shabu placed inside a pouch, which was placed in a paper bag.

"Didto gyud siya nakuha sa imburnal. Basa na gani na ang paper bag nga gisudlan," Pelare said.

He said Ortega and his cohorts may have dropped the bag there after realizing that they were transacting with cops during the buy-bust.

Ortega, 35, was arrested with Jenny Montesioso Jaime, 32, and Geran Dela Victoria Ligan, 29.

The four packs of shabu were supposed to be delivered to Danao City and neighboring towns, Pelare said.

The three drug suspects are reportedly natives of Danao and were only staying temporarily in Consolacion.

Pelare said Ortega is not on their watchlist.

"Wala siya sa among watchlist kay dili man siya taga Consolacion. Para siguro dili sila didto ma-trace sa Danao kay kusog pud ang dakop ngadto, maong diri sila temporary nag-abang," Pelare said, adding, that the operation against the three Thursday night was a result of reports from concerned citizens.

He also said that the police’s constant visits to the barangays in Consolacion together with barangay officials and even the town mayor helped in encouraging the community to cooperate with authorities.

"Nagpasalamat gyud ta og dako sa mga citizens nga mo-report sa atong kapulisan. Dako kaayo og gikatabang. Sugod nga nagsige ta og bisita sa mga barangay kay daghan na ta og na-receive nga mga reports gikan nila. Nakita nila ang atong efforts," Pelare said.

Cebu City

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office recommended no bail for 23-year-old Walter Oliamot alias Ken who was arrested inside a hotel in Barangay Calamba last February 28.  Police had considered him a high-value target and the operation last February 28 also led to the seizure of shabu worth P4.7 million.  Prosecutor III Alex Gabud recommended the filing of charges against Oliamot.

Supt. Glen Mayam of the Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 said earlier Oliamot was operating in different towns in Cebu and Bohol.

Oliamot had admitted joining the drug trade last year.

Still on the drug trade, operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – 7 arrested a newly identified drug personality in Barangay Sambag II last Thursday afternoon.

PDEA spokesperson Leia Albiar identified the suspect as Ryan Tundag, 30, a resident in the barangay.

The operatives confiscated 20 grams of shabu from Tundag worth P100,000.

Tundag was reportedly placed under surveillance for two weeks during which PDEA learned he could allegedly dispose of up to 10 grams of shabu every week. — Mylen P. Manto (FREEMAN)