15 persons nabbed for illegal drugs

CEBU, Philippines —  Even if the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO) has intensified its implementation of the curfew and the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the communities, it has not let its guards down in the campaign against illegal drugs.

This led to the arrest of eight alleged drug pushers that included a 17-year-old minor.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Gifter Sucalit, who heads the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) of the LLCPO, said the eight were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in the city.

Arrested in the operation at Sitio Kadulang, Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City were Lino Marzan Amodia, 32 and Jerome Gulama Amodia, 19, who yielded 10 sachets of suspected shabu and the buy-bust money.

In an operation at Purok Calachuchi, Barangay Looc, Lapu-Lapu City last Thursday morning, five alleged pushers, including a 17-year-old male, were accosted.

Those arrested were Jobert Gardikano Potot, 24; Edgar Aranas Tumulak, 23; Gian Henry Bagcas Ymbong, 23; and Ronald Samson Casibao, 25; who are all residents of the area.

Recovered from their possession were 10 packets of suspected shabu, P1,000 buy-bust money and another P900 believed to be proceeds of their illegal drug trade.

At Sitio Mustang, Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City, Jeffrey Ongco Cortes, 36, was also arrested in an operation Thursday night.  Seized from him were P13,192, P3,000 buy-bust money and P300 believed to be proceeds of his illegal business.

Talisay City

Meanwhile, seven persons were arrested in a checkpoint and buy-bust operations in Talisay City last Wednesday.

Mark Amarile Campo, 19, a resident of Sitio Laray, Barangay San Roque, Talisay City was arrested with marijuana during a checkpoint last Wednesday morning.

At around 5:30 p.m., Edwin Lebris Reponte from Barangay Tanke was also nabbed for possessing 5.25 grams of suspected shabu.

Rodini Racaza Macoto was also arrested at Sitio Rattan, Barangay Tanke, Talisay City. More than 5 grams of suspected shabu was taken from his possession.

Not long after, Noya Bantugan, Klent Bazar Gasalatan, Joveno Daan Bazar Jr. and Evelyn Saniria Egdamen were also arrested.

Seized from their possession were 21.75 grams of suspected shabu, 125 grams of Marijuana.  The illegal drugs were worth P159,800.25.

Police Major Gerard Ace Pelare, Talisay City Police Station Chief, said that even with the threat brought about by COVID-19, those into illegal drugs are still doing their business.  GAN (FREEMAN)