P4 million worth of shabu seized in 3 drug busts

CEBU, Philippines —  At least P4 million worth of suspected shabu was seized while four suspects were arrested in three separate buy-bust operations in the cities of Cebu and Talisay Monday, December 6, 2021.

The first operation was conducted by the Talisay City police in Barangay Candulawan, Talisay City at around 5 p.m. on the said day.

During the operation, a certain Erwin Baya, 45, a resident of Barangay Labangon, Cebu City Cebu was arrested. Police tagged Baya as a high-value individual in terms of illegal drug trading.

Seized from him were at least P714,000 worth of suspected shabu and a .38 caliber revolver with three live ammunitions.

Police Lt. Colonel Randy Caballes, Talisay City Police Station chief, said Baya is a painter who has been involved in illegal drug activity since October this year.

"Under surveillance for 1 week after receiving reports again of his involvement in illegal activities. His area of operation is at Calijon and other neighboring barangays," said Caballes in a statement to the media.

The suspect could allegedly dispose of at least 100 to 200 grams of shabu per week. His source was identified as a certain “Bigboy,” who is currently an inmate at the Cebu City Jail.

Meanwhile, in another buy-bust operation, the City Intelligence Unit (CIU) of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) headed by its chief, Police Lt. Colonel Clark Arriola, another high-value individual in terms of illegal drug activity and also an ex-convict was also arrested along N. Bacalso Street, Barangay Kinasang-an Pardo, Cebu City.

Police identified the arrested suspect as certain Carl Negro, 23, who is also a resident of the same area where he was arrested.

The operation yielded at least P2 million worth of illegal drugs weighing 305 grams.

At around 10:30 p.m., the CCPO Police Station 3 personnel conducted a buy-bust operation in Quezon Boulevard, Barangay San Roque, Cebu City.

This resulted in the arrest of a certain John Carlo Cuizon, 33, of Sitio Ginabasan, Basak - San Nicolas, Cebu City, tagged as high-value individual who is also the subject of the operation.

Arrested with him was his brother, Junery Cuizon, 25, also tagged as a high-value individual.

Recovered from them were 240 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P632,000.

Police Lt. Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for operations of CCPO, said they will not slow down in the campaign against illegal drugs considering that Yuletide season is around the corner.

"Mao ni usually daghan ang demand so karon pa lang ato nang gihingusgan ang supply reduction sa pag-monitor sa possible nga supply sa droga," said Parilla.

"Because kung kusog man gud ang demand, maong mangita sad ni sila og supply," he added. — GMR (FREEMAN)