Suspected ‘high-valued’ drug pusher, accomplice nabbed in Liloan

Photo courtesy of PDEA-7

CEBU CITY, Philippines – A 25-year-old suspected, high-valued drug pusher and his accomplice were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Liloan town, northern Cebu on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

Anti-narcotics agents and police officers arrested Kenny Earl C. Balverde in Sitio Tiltilon, Barangay Jubay past 1 a.m. on Tuesday, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) reported.

Balverde is considered a ‘high-valued’ suspect. The 25-year-old is part of PDEA-7’s regional target list, said Leia Alcantara, the agency’s information officer.

Law enforcers also arrested Balverde’s accomplice, Junmar G. Mabuting, who worked as a hardware helper.

They seized two packs of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P17,000, and a smartphone from the two suspects.

Prior to his arrest, Balverde had been the subject of a warrant of arrest. Authorities tried to serve and capture him last March 2022 but the suspect managed to escape.

Recently, PDEA-7 had been monitoring Balverde after receiving a tip from a ‘confidential informant’ about the latter’s alleged illegal activities.

According to Alcantara, Balverde reportedly had been supplying illegal drugs in the northern localities of Metro Cebu, in particular, the towns of Liloan, Compostela, and other neighboring communities.

He also allegedly can dispose of up to 25 grams of the illegal substance on a weekly basis, she added.

Balverda and Mabuting will face charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165). /bmjo

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