A former policeman under surveillance for his drug dealing activities was arrested yesterday in a raid at his home in barangay Lamac, Consolacion northern Cebu.
Police arrested Antonio Aguisanda after serving a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Teresita Galanida of Branch 56 in Mandaue City.
The Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) said they seized three big packs, five medium packs and nine small packs of white crystalline powder believed to be shabu, tin foils and P9,520 in cash believed to be proceeds of the illegal drug trade.
A .45 caliber pistol with holster and four magazines of loaded ammunition were also seized.
In an ABS-CBN interview, Supt. Rodolfo Albotra, head of the PIB, said Aguisanda’s name was in their watchlist and that the unit was going after former policemen engaged in drug dealing which places the PNP organization in a bad light.
Albotra said Aguisanda operated in Consolacion and neighboring towns and was considered a level three drug pusher who could dispose of up to 200 grams of shabu a week.
Aguisanda, who hid part of his face with his T-shirt to avoid news cameras, just said he was surprised to see policemen at his house yesterday. He would not comment on the allegations against him.
Aguisanda had the rank of PO2 when he was dismissed from service in 2008 by the Office of the Ombudsman with Senior Insp. Claro Benatiro, former Consolacion Police chief, for grave misconduct.
They were caught receiving P70,000 from relatives of a suspected pusher in exchange for his freedom.
Aguisanda will face a charge of illegal possession of firearms and violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Drugs Act.