Zosimo Sotelliza, (seated, left) was arrested by PDEA-7 and RID-7 personnel during a buy-bust operation conducted around 6 p.m., today, February 4, 2021, in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City. | Photo from PDEA-7 via Paul Lauro
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P340,000 were seized by authorities from one Zosimo Sotelliza Jr., during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City, at 6 p.m. today, February 4, 2021.
Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) Regional Special Enforcement Team together with the Regional Intelligence Division (RID-7) conducted a 2-week case buildup for the arrest of Sotelliza, a 31-year-old resident of Barangay Carreta, here.
During the operation, authorities confiscated a pack of suspected shabu weighing more or less 50 grams. As per PDEA’s report, Sotelliza can dispose of around 200-300 grams of ‘shabu’ per week.
As of this posting, PDEA is still checking if Sotelliza has previous records of drug activities.
Meanwhile, PDEA-7 agents also arrested on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, a man believed to be the top drug dealer in most of the southern towns in Cebu.
Anti-narcotics agents nabbed Neil Buagas by virtue of a search warrant, around 2:20 p.m., in Barangay Poblacion, Ginatilan, Cebu.
According to PDEA’s report, the 46-year-old suspect can dispose of around 50 grams per week and is allegedly the supplier of “distributors” of illegal drugs in the municipalities of Malabuyoc, Santander, and Samboan.
Authorities confiscated 25 packs of suspected ‘shabu’ weighing around 10 grams with a street value of P68,0000, 1 sling bag, and 1 pouch from the suspect.
Leia Organa, the spokesperson of PDEA 7, said Buagas, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Ginatilan, was previously detained in the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) from 2004 to 2009 for a drug-related case. He also owned a ‘lechon manok’ stall in front of his house in the same municipality. He reportedly moonlights as a ‘shabu’ vendor while managing his business.
Agents said concerned citizens tipped them of Buagas’ illegal activities through the FB page of Director General Wilkins Villanueva “Isumbong Mo Kay Wilkins.” This page is dedicated to concerned citizens who want to report illegal drug activities in their areas.
The suspect will be charged for violation of Section 11 of Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. /rcg