Drugs worth P23.9M seized, 3 suspects fall

CEBU, Philippines — Close to P24 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated in separate buy-bust operations in the tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu which resulted in the arrest of three big time drug personalities over the weekend.

Joint operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7, Naval Forces Central, Drug Enforcement Unit-Special Operations Unit-7, Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, and Mandaue City Police Office arrested Fatima Veraces, 28, a resident of Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City in a buy-bust operation on Aboitiz Road at the North Reclamation Area, Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City at 2:40 p.m. on Sunday.

Seized from Veraces were 1,500 grams of suspected shabu worth P10.2 million, cellphones, and other evidence used in her illegal operation.

A follow-up operation led authorities to Sitio Soong 2, Barangay Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City where Veraces’ live-in partner, William Lopez, 32, was arrested. Anti-narcotics operatives seized from Lopez 500 grams of shabu worth P3.4 million, a grey multicab, and other non-drug evidence.

Meanwhile, another anti-drug operation conducted by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) operatives resulted in the arrest of 4 Flores, 48, at Quijano Compound, Barangay Calamba, Cebu City at 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Police seized 1,525 grams of suspected shabu worth P10.3 million. Flores, according to the police, is considered a high value target who can dispose of at least 3,000 grams of shabu every week. His areas of operations include the neighboring cities in Metro Cebu.

Police are now preparing charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article Il of Republic Act 9165 against the suspects. — (FREEMAN)