EIGHT persons were arrested and a total of P76,000 worth of shabu were confiscated by the police in four separate drug operations in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning.
Those arrested in Upper Matumbo, Barangay Pusok, were Jerry Monalim, 41, and his cohort Christopher Espinosa, 36. Seized from them were five small sachets and one medium pack of suspected shabu worth around P6,000 and P200 marked money.
Another three were arrested by the police in Sitio Saac, Barangay Buaya, namely Maria Le Sasing, 26, and her cohort Romeo Edano and Arzmando Carillas. Police confiscated from Sasing and Edano several packs of suspected shabu, P680 cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal drug trade and P300 marked money, and seven small sachets of alleged shabu from Carillas.
Marilou Labitad, 36, her sister Marlyn and a relative Armando Calapis, 35, were also arrested by the police in Barangay Buaya. Seized from the Labitad sisters were 18 small sachets of suspected shabu, P600 cash believed to be proceeds from illegal drug trade and P200 marked money, while those from Calapis were six small sachets of alleged shabu.
In Sitio Pool, Barangay Bankal, another two drug suspects were nabbed in a buy-bust operation. One of them was wounded after engaging in a shootout with the police.
Jemel Inoc, of legal age, was rushed to Lapu-Lapu City Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound on his left shoulder. His .38 revolver was confiscated by the police.
Inoc’s companion Melchor Binanel, 34, was also caught with packs of alleged shabu during the buy-bust operation.
All confiscated drugs totaled P76,000 based on the Dangerous Drugs Board value.