A 70-year-old man was arrested in a drug bust operation in barangay Hippodromo, Cebu City. His relatives who allegedly tried to spirit him out of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) detention cell would later join him behind bars.
Romeo “Boy” Regner on Wednesday was arrested by operatives of the City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force (CAIDSOTF) in sitio Greenside.
While at the CCPO, the suspect’s stepson, Ragme Regner, his wife Nerisma Regner and another relative Winston Rondina arrived.
Senior Insp. Eunil Avergonzado said they were about to bring Romeo to the office when his relatives grabbed and tried to dash out of the police headquarters.
However, his relatives denied the allegation saying they were just there to ask why Romeo was arrested when he didn’t do anything wrong. The relatives said they were surprised when they were handcuffed and arrested.
Romeo was arrested after he allegedly handed two packs of suspected shabu worth P2,000 to a police officer who acted as a poseur-buyer.
Avergonzado said Romeo is considered a big-time drug pusher as he would allegedly dispose a kilo of shabu in a week.
The police officer added the Romeo had been under surveillance for a month before the buy-bust operation.
Avergonzado said Romeo’s area of distribution includes Cordova town, San Remegio town, and some parts of Cebu City.
Avergonzado’s lifestyle allegedly aroused suspicion about his activities. Although without visible means of livelihood, he allegedly owns four buildings in Hippodromo and Cordova. The suspect, however, claims that he acquired his property legally.
Three big packs of suspected shabu were recovered from Romeo’s possession, police said. The P2,000 buy-bust money was also recovered. Romeo denied his involvement in the illegal drug trade.
Regner had previously been arrested for a murder charge.