Photo from LLCPO
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu – Policemen in Lapu-Lapu City confiscated suspected shabu weighing at least one kilogram and worth P6.8 million during a buy-bust operation in Sitio Seaside, Barangay Pajo on Thursday afternoon, September 14, 2023.
They also arrested Abdillah Otto Bertodan, a native of Marawi who is currently residing in Barangay Poblacion, Talisay City.
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Christian Torres, spokesperson of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, that Bertodan was listed as a high value individual by the police.
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During their follow up investigation, Torres said, they managed to identity the source of the illegal drugs and they are now focused on locating the said individual.
“Ato nang na-identify asa gikan sa source, usa ka detainee sauna sa CPDRC (Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center) nga nakalaya na,” he said.
LLCPO in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) confiscated during the buy-bust operation, suspected shabu that were placed in 10 transparent plastics.
They also recovered a sling bag which contained an identification card and a bundle of P1, 000 bills which totaled to P180, 000 and which law enforcers used as the buy-bust money together with another P1, 000 bill believed to be proceeds from the sales of illegal drugs.
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Torres said they placed Bertodan under surveillance for at least a month before they planned the buy-bust operation.
He said that the suspect operates in the tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.
Bertodan, however, denied during the police investigation having any knowledge that he was transporting illegal drugs.
He reasoned that he was just asked by someone to deliver the item.
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Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan has commended LCPO and PDEA-7 personnel for another successful operation.
“Dili gyud ta uyon nga masudlan ta ug durogista, pasalamat ta sa kapulisan nga subsub gyud ang ilang kampanya,” Chan said.
Chan said that he will recommend to the City Council the release of cash incentives to these law enforcement agencies./dcb