Cop Nabbed In Buy-Bust

[Medic Mike]

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

A POLICEMAN of Borbon Police Station and three others were arrested on separate occasions in Cebu Province last Monday afternoon.

PO2 Bernard Almeda was caught inside the house of a suspected drug pusher during a buy-bust in Sitio Intermedia, Barangay Poblacion.

Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Cebu Provincial Police Office director, said Almeda is allegedly the protector of Edwin Cabahug, who was the subject of the operation.

He said they received information that a policeman was coddling Cabahug, but they didn’t know it was Almeda until he was arrested.

Almeda will face criminal and administrative complaints for violating Republic (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and for grave misconduct.

Under Section 3 of RA 9165, any person who knowingly and willfully consents to the unlawful acts, and uses his influence, power or position in shielding, harboring, screening or facilitating the escape of any person he knows is a protector or coddler.

His excuse

Almeda, when sought for comment, refused to issue a statement.

However, he told police Borbon Police Station Chief Glen Devocion sent him to Cabahug’s house to gather information about the suspect’s illegal drug activity.

Operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch and the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch bought a pack of shabu worth P500 from Cabahug around 1:40 p.m. last Monday.

When the operatives barged into his house, Cabahug managed to run away. However, they found Almeda and Zeev Tulod, 40, who is allegedly Cabahug’s runner.

Seized inside Cabahug’s house were shabu with an estimated street value of P50,000.

Operatives also seized a .45 pistol with 21 live bullets and three magazines from Almeda. They have yet to determine if these are government-issued.

P130T drug haul

In a separate operation, two men allegedly involved in peddling drugs were arrested during a buy-bust in Barangay Looc, Danao City around 1:30 p.m.

They were identified as Joseph Gonzales, 25, and Ralph Casiong, 28. Recovered from them were shabu with an estimated street value of P130,000.

The operatives bought shabu worth P200 from the suspects. After the transaction, the suspects were taken into custody.

When interviewed by reporters, Gonzales and Casiong denied owning the drugs. They refused to elaborate, though.

The white crystalline substance will be brought to the PNP Regional Crime Laboratory Office 7 for chemical analysis.

The two men, who were detained at the Consolacion Police Station, will face complaints for selling and possession of illegal drugs.

Acting on a tip

In Cebu City, two men were arrested during a buy-bust conducted by the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) and the Cebu City Police Office in Sitio Pundok, Barangay Pit-os last Monday night.

They were identified as Christopher Miñoza, 33, and Roger Apor, 31.

Police seized 26 small packs of shabu with an estimated street value of P20,000.

According to CIB Chief Romeo Santander, they received reports from various informants about Miñoza’s alleged illegal drug activities in the barangay, prompting them to place him under surveillance for two weeks.

Santander said they were able to confirm that Miñoza was selling drugs and could dispose of at least 200 grams per week.

Miñoza is reportedly a level 2 drug pusher.

He was taken into custody after handing drugs to a poseur-buyer around 10:30 p.m.

Although he was the subject of the buy-bust, police also arrested Apor when they found him inside Miñoza’s house.

Both men did not resist arrest.

Miñoza and Apor are detained in the CIB stockade.

They will be charged with violating RA 9165.

Santander said they are grateful to the informants for reporting illegal drug activities in different areas.

He said every tip they receive is carefully validated. He also assured that the informants’ identities will remain a secret.

 

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2014/07/16/cop-nabbed-buy-bust-354111

 

 

[Brucewayne]

It would be nice to see stories like this every day, but I feel that it is like anything else, just a once in a decade thing.

[Americano]

If everyone would report illegal activities and especially corruption that they have personal knowledge of then many of this country's problems could be properly dealt with.  Secrecy is what allows drug dealers and corrupt officials to continue their evil deeds without being caught and prosecuted.

[Brucewayne]

If everyone would report illegal activities and especially corruption that they have personal knowledge of then many of this country's problems could be properly dealt with.  Secrecy is what allows drug dealers and corrupt officials to continue their evil deeds without being caught and prosecuted.

 

Most are afraid of retribution, not an easy fear to overcome.