The son of a former policeman and five others were arrested in a buy-bust operation Saturday evening in barangay Catarman in Liloan town.
Christian Ceniza was with his friend Amerphil Jayme alias “Phil” when a joint team of the Cebu Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) and Liloan Police Station arrested them.
Ceniza is allegedly a member of the Pati robbery and gun-for-hire group operating in Mandaue City while Jayme was suspected to be involved in the illegal drug trade.
The four others who were arrested are; Edgardo Cetas, Donel Navales, Joelito Yutrago and Fernando Aton, reportedly members of Jayme’s group.
“They have a weighing scale which only means that this is not just a small-time shabu business. This involves millions,” said Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Noel Gillamac.
Seized from the suspects were P200,000 worth of shabu, a shotgun, a .45 cal. pistol, a 9mm pistol and a .38 cal. revolver. All guns were loaded with live bullets. Also seized were a digital weighing scale and two ledgers with a list of names of suspected buyers.
Gillamac said among those in the list is a certain Ting who owes the group P600,000 while one Oniel has a balance of P100,000.
Police are yet to identify the supplier of the drugs.
“Most of their operations are in Metro Cebu and nearby municipalities. Jayme even transacts as far as Bohol,” Gillamac said.
PIB chief Rodolfo Albotra heaved a sigh of relief after seeing that no police officer was on the ledger.
Police however, will continue to investigate to determine if the group has protectors in the police force.
“We will trace whoever owns the shotgun which might be issued to a security guard. These (loose firearms) might be used in the rampant killings of individuals involved in drug transactions, especially those who weren’t able to pay their balance,” said Albotra.