Top drug suspect in north Cebu falls; 2 boys rescued

A man who was considered by police as one of the top drug personalities in northern Cebu was arrested in an early morning raid in Barangay Kawit, Medellin town yesterday.

Jerson Lucero was shot in the right leg after he allegedly resisted arrest that resulted to a shootout with operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).

The operation was based on a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Jerry Dicdican of Branch 25 in Danao City.

Police also arrested seven men believed to be Lucero’s cohorts and two boys.

Senior Supt. Clifford Gairanod, director of CPPO, said an investigation will be made to find out if the two children were used in illegal drug activities.

Gairanod said a deeper investigation will also be made to check on reports that two policemen from northern Cebu were protecting Lucero.

Gairanod refused to identify the two policemen pending investigation.

Among those recovered during the raid were packs of suspected shabu estimated to cost P1.5 million, a .40 caliber pistol, a .45 caliber pistol, a .38 revolver and drug-sniffing paraphernalia.

Senior Insp. Leo Logronio, who led the operation, said a shootout took place a few meters from the suspect’s house.

Logronio said a deep hole was found near the house.

Police suspected that Lucero hid in the hole in previous police operations.

“The hole is deep enough that one person can stand inside,” Logronio said.

Supt. Rodolfo Albotra Jr., chief of PIB, said that Lucero has been their top target in their “lambat-sibat operation.”