KANANGA, Leyte— A high-value drug personality eluded arrest during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Poblacion, Kananga, Leyte, early Wednesday morning, February 11, while two of his cohorts, including a local barangay official, were apprehended, authorities reported.
Police identified the fleeing suspect as alias “MIL,” 44, unemployed, married, and a resident of Brgy. Poblacion. The arrested cohorts were alias “Rex,” 22, unemployed, single, from Brgy. Lonoy, and alias “Nelson,” 49, a Sangguniang Barangay Member of Brgy. Tongonan, Kananga.
The operation, led by the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) together with the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of Kananga MPS, resulted in the seizure of approximately 24 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P163,200.
Authorities recovered from alias “Rex” one sachet of suspected shabu purchased by an operative for P5,000, two larger sachets of suspected shabu, and one .9mm caliber automatic firearm loaded with three live rounds. Buy-bust money totaling P5,000, including a court-subscribed bill, was also recovered. From alias “Nelson,” police seized three sachets of suspected shabu.
Police confirmed that both arrested suspects were informed of the nature of their arrest and advised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood.
Charges of violating RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law Against Illegal Drugs of 2002, have been filed with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Ormoc City.
Alias “Rex” also faces a separate charge for violation of RA 10591, the law governing illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives. Both suspects are temporarily detained at the Kananga MPS lockup pending court proceedings.
(ROBERT DEJON)
