P1M worth of illegal drugs seized

MORE than P1 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in separate buy-bust operations in Metro Cebu last weekend.

Cebu provincial police officers conducted a buy-bust operation against a certain “Junior,” which led to the arrest of Quintino Monteras Tagpuno Jr. inside his home in Hillside Village, barangay Bulacao, Talisay City, southern Cebu shortly after midnight yesterday.

A police officer, posing as a buyer, purchased a small pack of illegal drugs worth P500 from Tagpuno.

Seized from Tagpuno’s possession were two large packs, three medium sizes and 905 small sachets of suspected illegal drugs weighing a total of 85 grams. The stash has a market value of more than P1 million.

Several drug paraphernalia were also seized during the police operation. A silver Toyota Wigo (AXA 6534) was impounded by the police.

Tagpuno is in police custody pending the filing of charges against him.

In Lapu-Lapu City, a couple and their friend were arrested in another buy-bust operation that yielded suspected shabu worth P100,000 and a firearm at 3 p.m. yesterday.

Joseph Igot, 38, and the Dano couple Mark, 35, and Maricor, 34, are currently detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Station pending the filing of charges.

Police also confiscated from the suspects drug paraphernalia, P700 cash believed to be proceeds of their illegal trade, and an unlicensed 9 mm pistol with four bullets.