ALBUERA, Leyte — Authorities arrested a construction worker and a motorcycle mechanic and seized more than P166,000 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation conducted by the local police in Barangay Poblacion here early Monday morning, June 1.
The operation, carried out by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the Albuera Municipal Police Station at around 5:02 a.m. on May 25, resulted in the arrest of alias “Mating,” 41, a married construction worker from Baybay City, and alias “Nel,” 31, a married motorcycle mechanic from Bantayan, Cebu, who is temporarily residing in Albuera.
Albuera Officer-in-Charge Maj. Franklyn Romeo Parangan said alias “Mating,” the primary target of the operation, is listed by the local police as a street-level drug personality.
An undercover operative was able to purchase a sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu from the suspect for P34,000. The sachet weighed approximately 5.89 grams.
A subsequent body search conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses led to the recovery of three additional sachets of suspected shabu concealed inside a plastic container found in the suspect’s sling bag. The recovered substances weighed about 14.49 grams and had an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) value of P98,532.
Police also recovered P34,000 in cash, consisting of 68 pieces of P500 bills. One of the bills was marked as buy-bust money, while the remaining bills were boodle money used during the operation.
Meanwhile, a body search on alias “Nel” yielded a transparent plastic sachet containing several smaller sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 4.09 grams, with an estimated value of P27,812.
During questioning, alias “Mating” allegedly disclosed that his illegal drug supplies came from various locations in the region and were distributed to customers across the province.
Alias “Nel,” however, denied involvement in illegal drug activities, claiming that he was merely delivering the motorcycle of alias “Mating” when the police operation took place.
Mayor Kerwin Espinosa reiterated his administration’s anti-drug campaign, urging residents to stay away from illegal drugs and warning that local authorities will continue to intensify enforcement efforts against drug offenders.
Police said the total volume of suspected shabu recovered from the two suspects reached 24.47 grams, with an estimated street value of P166,396.
The suspects were informed of the nature of their arrest and apprised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood.
Charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Baybay City. The suspects are currently detained at the Albuera Municipal Police Station pending further proceedings.
(ROBERT DEJON)
