MAASIN CITY– A newly identified drug peddler was arrested by local police during a buy-bust operation on Thursday evening, May 29, as part of the city’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
The suspect, identified only as “Arnel,” 27, single, a construction worker and resident of Barangay Dongon, was apprehended by the City Drug Enforcement Team at around 6:53 pm in his home barangay.
According to PLt. Col. Jason Balbarona, chief of police, an operative was able to purchase a sachet of suspected shabu worth P1,000 from the suspect. During the subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of required witnesses, authorities recovered a black pouch containing 14 more sachets of suspected shabu.
Also seized was the P1,000 marked money used in the buy-bust.
The suspect was informed of the reason for his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.
Charges for violation of Sections 5 (sale of illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against him. He is currently detained at the Maasin City Police Station.
(ROBERT DEJON)
