Buy-bust nets P2.7M shabu in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines — Illegal drugs worth around P2.7 million were confiscated from a 22-year-old man in a buy-bust operation in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday.

The suspect, John Rey Racasa, a resident of Barangay Sambag in Cebu City, was also arrested. He was considered a high-value target.

The operation was in coordination with the City Intelligence Branch (CIB), City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Racasa was placed under surveillance for two months before hatching the operation, said Police Colonel Carlito Baja, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) director.

Baja said Racasa occasionally visits Lapu-Lapu City to distribute shabu based on police’s initial investigation.

“We have been monitoring Racasa and his illegal operations for quite some time,” the police chief said, adding that Racasa evaded the long arms of the law for many months.

Baja said Racasa disposed of the drugs in Metro Cebu, which covers the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Talisay, Lapu-Lapu, Danao, Naga and Carcar, and the towns of Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Cordova, Minglanilla and San Fernando.

“His (Racasa) area of distribution was mostly in Metro Cebu. He can dispose of up to a million worth of illegal drugs,” said Baja.

Baja said they will look into Racasa’s sources of illegal drugs.

Racasa is set to face drug charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (FREEMAN)