Police Seize P1M Shabu Stash, Nab 6 Suspects

[Medic Mike]

MORE than P1.4 million worth of shabu was confiscated while seven alleged drug pushers were arrested in separate operations in Central Visayas last Thursday and yesterday.

Senior Supt. Conrado Capa, deputy regional director for operation of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, said that as far as the illegal drug trade is concerned, they will fight it hammer and tongs.

“There’s been no letup in our campaign. If they think this is a just a flash in the pan, they’re in for a surprise,” Capa said, referring to suspected drug dealers.

In the last two weeks, the PRO 7 has confiscated P5.1 million worth of shabu and arrested 27 people in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Talisay.

At dawn yesterday, the Regional Special Operation Group (RSOG) arrested Romeo Rivera during a buy-bust in Barangay Cadaruhan, Borbon, Cebu.

Seized from Rivera were three large packs, eight medium packs and 40 small packs of a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, worth P101,000.

When interviewed by reporters, Rivera said he sold shabu to support his family, despite being arrested before. “Tungod sa kawad-on. Wa man ko’y trabaho (Poverty made me do it. I am jobless),” he said.

Rivera can dispose of three large packs of shabu per week in Borbon, estimated to be worth P45,000, police said.

A few hours earlier, two men were arrested by the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (RAIDSOTG) in Barangay Tangke, Talisay City past 2 p.m. last Thursday.

James Joseph and Arnel Juarez allegedly had 13 small packs of shabu estimated to be worth P35,400.

A .22 revolver with six live bullets was also taken from them.

Near hospital

In Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, the police recovered some P932,200 worth of shabu from three drug pushers in separate operations at dawn last Thursday.

Ronor Tiampong was arrested in front of Silliman Medical Center Hospital in Barangay Laguna at 1:15 a.m. after a police asset allegedly bought shabu from him.

He was holding a belt bag that contained two packs of shabu worth P59,000, a Norinco .45 pistol with three live bullets and a digital weighing scale.

Later, police collared Christian Lazaro and Marlon Abinez in Barangay Looc at 3:25 a.m.

The duo were caught with 12 large packs of shabu worth P873,200, a .38 revolver with two live bullets and two hand grenades.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr., officer-in-charge of Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO), said the three men were their priorities in the watch list of suspected drug personalities.

“Aside from Dumaguete, they also operate in the neighboring municipalities here,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.

The arrested men will face complaints for selling and possession of illegal drugs and unlawful possession of firearms and explosives.

Calamba

In Barangay Calamba, Cebu City, police arrested Dennis Toboada, 34, and confiscated a medium pack of illegal drugs worth P50,000.

The buy-bust was conducted by the City Anti-illegal Drug Task Force (CAIDSOTF) led by Chief Insp. Eunil Avergonzado around 5 p.m. last Thursday on A. Lopez St.

Avergonzado said that Toboada is a level two drug pusher who can peddle at least 250 grams per week. He said the operation stemmed from various reports among residents in the area where Toboada allegedly operates.

One operative posed as a buyer and transacted with Toboada. When the suspect handed over the drugs, police then arrested him.

Pulangbato

Meanwhile, the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) confiscated 15 big packs of shabu in their operation in Barangay Pulangbato, Cebu City.

The confiscated drugs would have fetched almost P400,000 in street sales.

But the subject of their operation, a certain Ronald Tumulak, eluded arrest.

Tumulak transacted with the police operative who pretended to be a buyer around 5 a.m. yesterday in Sitio Dita.

But when he realized it was a police operation, he escaped.

CIB Chief Romeo Santander said that Tumulak is a level one drug pusher who can dispose of at least 350 grams per week.

Santander added that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the National Bureau of Investigation have also conducted operations against Tumulak, but the latter always escaped.

A case for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 will be filed against Tumulak and Toboada. Toboada is currently detained in the Cebu City Police Office stockade.

1Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on July 19, 2014

[Medic Mike]

That is a lot of shabu!!

[Brucewayne]

Sounds like someone finally  found a job he likes and is doing a bang up job.

Kudos to him and all involved in the anti drug clean up.

[Americano]

Sounds like they are doing a good job but why does the biggest criminal or leader always escape?  Its just like in the movies.

[Brucewayne]

Sounds like they are doing a good job but why does the biggest criminal or leader always escape?  Its just like in the movies.

 

Well, yes, there is that.

It could be one of several reasons, but since I don't know, I won't risk slandering anyone or glorifying them either when it comes to that.