P16 million drugs seized in sting operations

CEBU, Philippines — At least P16 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in three separate anti-drug operations the police conducted on Monday and Tuesday in Cebu City and Talisay City, respectively.

The sting operations also resulted in the arrest of three drug personalities the police considered as high-value targets.

Operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and Mambaling Police Station conducted simultaneous buy-bust operations at around 10:30 p.m. on Monday resulting in the arrest of Bryan Osabel, 36, resident of Barangay Pasil, and Benjie Lupian, 42, a resident of Block 1 Belgium Street, Barangay Suba.

Seized from Osabel were P3.4 million worth of illegal drugs while Lupian yielded at least P7 million worth.

CCPO director Police Col. Josefino Ligan said both Osabel and Lupian are considered high-value targets.

Osabel, an ex-convict, allegedly partnered with Joseph Tuñacao, an inmate in Abuyog, Leyte, in his illegal drug operations in the city.

"Makosindera nato sya nga high-value individual tungod sa iyang kapasidad, sa kadako nga volume sa shabu, sa kapasidad niya nga iyang i-dispose," Ligan said.

Osabel allegedly befriended Tuñacao at Cebu City Jail in Barangay Kalunasan. They were released in 2015 and have become partners in the illegal drug operations since then.

Tuñacao was arrested in Leyte but continued his drug operations in Cebu City through Osabel.

Osabel admitted his dealings with Tuñacao but claimed he was just operating on commission basis.

"Porsyento raman akoa. Dili man pareha ang porsyento," he said referring to the percentage he gets in every illegal drug transaction.

On the other hand, Lupian was considered a high-value individual in the region because of the volume of drugs involved in his operation. The arrest of Lupian was through the help of the barangay officials.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) arrested another high-value drug personality in Sitio Sawsawan, Barangay San Roque, Talisay City Tuesday dawn.

The suspect was identified as Kevin Panggo, 26, resident of the said barangay. The police seized from him at least P6.1 million worth of illegal drugs. — FPL (FREEMAN)