Drug busts net P800K drugs, 9 persons

Nine people were arrested as police seized more than P800,000 worth of suspected shabu in separate anti-illegal drug operations in barangays Luz and Tejero in Cebu City.

On Thursday, members of the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) arrested Philip Andrino Montesclaros for selling a pack of shabu to a police decoy for P200 in Tejero.

Another 15 packs worth P800,000 were recovered from him, said police.

Insp. Gomersendo Mandaue, CIB deputy chief, said police received reports that Monteclaros’ drug activity boomed after the arrest last week of Mannies Ybañez, a suspected pusher in the area.

In barangay Luz yesterday, the City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force (CAIDSOTF) arrested Ramil Centasas Misterio, a 44-year-old resident, after he sold a pack of shabu to a poseur buyer.

His companion, Fritz Sanchez Callalero, was also arrested. A pack of suspected shabu and a .38 caliber revolver were seized from his possession, said police.

Six others including a minor and a woman, were caught in a drug den allegedly owned by Misterio.

CAIDSOTF head Senior Insp. Eunil Avergonzado said the operation was conducted after a month-long surveillance after concerned citizens and barangay officials reported about rampant illegal drug activities in the area.

Avergonzado said six other arrested persons were found sniffing “shabu”.

They were identified as Victor Granda, Joe Jen Carrido, Eddie Quirante, Alfie Sabas, Divina Guana, and a 17-year-old boy.

Several packs of dried marijuana leaves and three packs of suspected shabu were recovered from Guana, two small packs from Quirante, two packs from the minor and another one pack that they were about to use.

An improvised shot gun was also recovered allegedly from Quirante’s possession.

On Thursday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed a complaint against 26 persons who were arrested inside an alleged drug compound in barangay Ermita, Cebu City.

They included Roselito Cabije, a staff member of Cebu City Councilor Richard Osmeña, and Dexter Sanchez.

Sanchez, who transacted with a NBI poseur buyer during last Monday’s buy-bust operation, was charged with selling illegal drugs.

Cabije was accused for keeping over 5 grams of shabu.

Both offenses are non-bailable if evidence of guilt is strong.

The other 24 respondents were charged with “visiting a drug den,” a violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Bail was recommended at P40,000 each.

All respondents waived their right to a preliminary investigation.

The NBI led by Special Investigator Larry Dominguez conducted a series of surveillance operations to verify reports about the illegal drug activities in Ermita.

The drug den was located 30 meters from the Ermita barangay hall.

“These group are considered the untouchables in that area,” said Dominguez.

Taken from the suspects were 121 small plastic packs of suspected shabu and several drug paraphernalia.

One pack of shabu was sold for P200 each.

Police and law enforcement agencies have been aggressive in anti-drug operations in the past few weeks in Cebu city and province.

Most of the illegal drugs confiscated involved shabu.