Five nabbed in drug busts 

CEBU, Philippines —  A babysitter, a drug den maintainer and three others were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in Talisay and Cebu City over the weekend.

The 34-year-old babysitter identified as Mary Ann Villaver Cabuenas was arrested with 25 grams of shabu worth an estimated market value of P170,000 in a buy-bust operation beside South Road Properties, Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City past 5 a.m. Sunday, July 3.

Cabuenas, a resident of Sitio Cassare, Brgy. Cansojong, Talisay City, is a listed street level individual (SLI).

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Randy Caballes, chief of Talisay City Police Station, they received reports on Cabuenas’ consistent involvement in illegal drug trade which resulted in her arrest.

Recovered from Cabuenas during the operation were five pieces medium pack heat-sealed transparent plastics with white crystalline substance of suspected shabu, one pack of which was the subject of sale, P15,000 marked money, a pink pouch used as drug container, P690 worth of money in her possession, and a keypad mobile phone allegedly used in drug transactions.

Cabuenas is currently being held at the Talisay City Police Station's detention facility while the proper charges are being brought against her.

The buy-bust operation was carried out by the Drug Enforcement Unit team under the direct supervision of the chief of police in relation to Oplan Limpyo Talisay.

Meanwhile, the elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 arrested at least four individuals, including an alleged drug den maintainer, in a buy-bust operation that resulted in the dismantling of a drug den in Sitio Laurente, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City on Saturday noon.

The drug den maintainer was identified as Jerecho C. Bascon, 48, jobless, who used his own house as a drug den and invited visitors to do illegal drug activities inside. He can allegedly disposeof 30 to 50 grams of shabu in his drug den.

Operatives also arrested three alleged drug den visitors identified as Ronnie M. Rosos, 31, jobless; Liandro G. Duterte, 20, construction worker; and Mitchell Leah C. Liquido, 42, jobless.

Seized during the operation were two packs of 11 grams of suspected shabu worth P74,800, buy-bust money, and drug paraphernalia.

The PDEA-7 said this is the 26th drug den dismantled this year in Region 7.

"One week ago, naay na received ang office nga information from a confidential informant regarding the drug den sa area, and gi-verify dayon sa atoang team," said PDEA-7 spokesperson Leia Albiar-Alcantara.

According to Alcantara, dismantling of drug dens is a high-impact operation in the fact that these were considered as "breeding grounds" of violence and criminality, and disrupt peace and order in the community.

"Dili ni siya considered as 'ginagmay' lang nga operation ang pag guba sa drug dens, considering sa kadako sa kadaot nga dala sa mga drug dens sa community," she added.

The joint operation was conducted by the members of PDEA-7 Cebu Provincial Office, Regional Intelligence Unit-CIT, and Crime Investigation and Detection Group 7.

The four suspects are now detained at the detention facility of PDEA-7 in Sudlon, Brgy. Lahug, Cebu City.

Cases for violation of Sections 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12, and Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the suspects. —Dominic I. Dilao, Correspondent and Rubie Mae T. So (FREEMAN)