ORMOC CITY– A coordinated anti-drug operation led by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of Police Station 4 resulted in the arrest of two drug personalities, including a high-value target, during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Linao on Wednesday evening, May 27.
Authorities identified the suspects as alias “Marco,” 44, an electrician and classified as a high-value individual under the drug watchlist, and alias “Mik,” 33, a vendor. Both are residents of the said barangay.
Police said the operation, conducted at around 7:20 p.m. in Purok 10, specifically targeted alias “Marco,” who was previously placed under probation for a similar offense following an earlier arrest.
During the buy-bust, operatives confiscated from him a sachet containing suspected shabu valued at P15,000 with an estimated weight of 1.79 grams. A subsequent search, conducted in the presence of required witnesses, yielded additional items including cash amounting to P15,000—partly composed of marked and boodle money used in the operation—and a metal container labeled “Mentos” containing three sachets of suspected shabu weighing 0.31 grams with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P2,108. Authorities also recovered an aluminum sachet containing suspected dried marijuana leaves weighing 2.18 grams.
Meanwhile, alias “Mik” was also found in possession of a transparent plastic container holding three sachets of suspected shabu weighing 0.32 grams, with an estimated value of P2,176.
Both suspects declined to issue statements to media personnel covering the operation.
They were informed of the charges against them and apprised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood.
Cases for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office. The suspects remain in custody at Police Station 4.
(ROBERT DEJON)
