Lapu-Lapu cops haul over P300T in drugs

CEBU, Philippines - Police seized more than P300, 000 worth of suspected shabu in separate buy-bust operations in Lapu-Lapu City last Thursday.

Jed Avila, 31, sustained a gunshot wound on the left part of his buttocks as he allegedly shot it out with the police who were chasing him in Sitio Sacred Heart Village in Barangay Gun-ob around 4 p.m.

Senior Inspector Wilbert Parilla, police chief of Gun-ob Police Station 3, said Avila, who is a resident of the area, initially resisted police arrest, pulled out his .38 caliber firearm and aimed it at the poseur buyer who negotiated with him during the entrapment.

When Avila was cornered, police seized seven medium packs of shabu from his possession with an estimated worth of P250, 000. They also confiscated his firearm with live ammunition and some drug paraphernalia.

After few hours, a man identified as Jose Waminal, 39, a habal-habal driver living in SitioKa-Isko, Barangay Mactan, was also arrested by Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-City Intelligence Branch operatives.

Senior Inspector Judith Besas said Waminal was arrested around 6:40 p.m. and yielded 12 small sachets and a medium pack of shabu, with an estimated value of P66, 800.

Drug paraphernalia and the P840 cash believed to be proceeds of his illegal activity were also seized.

In the two buy-bust operations, police were able to recover their P200 marked money.

Waminal is now jailed in LCPO holding cell while Avila is detained at Gun-ob Police Station 3. Both will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Avila will face a separate complaint under Republic Act 10591 or Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)