Drug busts yield 28 suspects, millions in shabu

POLICE confiscated shabu valued at P5.2 million in 19 drug operations in Cebu City in a span of 36 hours last Wednesday and Thursday, and arrested 28 persons, 16 of whom are drug users while 12 are alleged peddlers.

The drug operations were conducted in barangays Lahug, Caretta, Bacayan and Capitol Site.

Two high-value targets were arrested in a buy bust inside a hotel.

The police suspect that they have contacts inside the Cebu City Jail.

Chief Insp.Eduard Sanchez, Chief of the Abellana Police Station, identified the suspects as Mary Jane Dequitos and John Frye Tapales of Barangay Tejero.

According to Sanchez, Dequitos’ husband is currently detained at the City Jail on charges of drug pushing and that she allegedly continued her husband’s trade.

“When we found them, the drugs were already for disposal which was lucky for us but unlucky for the arrested,” Sanchez said.

Police allegedly confiscated 240 grams of illegal drugs inside nine large packs and three medium packs with an estimated value of 2.8 million.

“When we talk of drugs, negosyo ito. Basta may bibili and may pambili, may droga. (When we talk of drugs, this is a business. As long as people buy and they can afford to buy, there will be drugs,” said Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director, Senior Supt. Royina Garma.

She said the demand for drugs increases during the holiday not only because of the users but also because the drug traders need the money desperately, making them ‘fearless’ despite the intensified anti-drug campaign.

“Expect mo na pag may maraming party, marami ang gustong maging alive. Kailangan din magbenta kasi kailangan mo kumita pambili ng pamasko o ng masarap na pagkain,” said Garma.

(We expect that with a lot of parties, people want to feel good. Peddlers also need to sell because they need to buy gifts and food for Christmas.)

“Kahit marami na kaming nahuli, mababa pa rin ang presyo ng shabu dito sa Cebu. Meaning, marami pa ring droga,” she added.

Although no new drug groups have been recorded, Garma said that new leaders have risen in these groups following the arrest of some high-value targets in the past months.

“Mga newly identified itong mga bago nating nahuli. Sila tong pumalit sa mga dati na nating nahuli. (The ones we arrested were newly identified. They are the ones who took over the trade after we arrested the others in the past),” said Garma.

Meanwhile in other parts of Cebu, two people were nabbed in separate buy bust operations in Barangay Maslog, Danao City.

Other cities

In other parts of Cebu, two persons were arrested in separate drug operations in Barangay Maslog, Danao City.

Supt. Jaime Quiocho Jr., Danao City Police Station Chief, identified the suspects as Junrey Taneo and Felipe Murillo who were caught allegedly in possession of 60 grams of shabu.

Taneo and Murillo are currently detained at the Danao Police Station while they face charges for selling and possessing of illegal drugs.