TACLOBAN CITY — A public school teacher and three other individuals were arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by anti-drug authorities in Barangay Cuta, Barugo, Leyte, on Friday evening, June 12, resulting in the seizure of suspected shabu and other drug-related paraphernalia.
Authorities identified the suspects only by their aliases: “Ron,” 41; “Sheila,” 41, a teacher and resident of Barugo; “Myrna,” 41, a self-employed woman; and “Naldo,” 34, a security guard. All are residents of Barugo, Leyte.
The operation, conducted at around 7:44 p.m., was carried out by joint elements of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit 8 (RDEU-8), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 8 (PDEA-8) through its Tacloban City Office and Regional Special Enforcement Team, the Leyte Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit, the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Barugo Municipal Police Station under the coordination of PDEA-8.
The buy-bust operation led to the arrest of the four suspects and the confiscation of several items believed to be connected to illegal drug activities.
Recovered from the suspects were one sachet of suspected shabu used as the subject of sale, seven additional sachets and five knot-tied plastic cellophanes containing suspected shabu, a digital weighing scale, disposable lighters, teaspoons, an orange plastic tray, and a rolled aluminum foil believed to have been used as an improvised burner. Authorities also seized marked money and boodle money utilized during the operation.
The confiscated items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the required witnesses in accordance with existing procedures. The total weight and value of the suspected shabu are still being determined by the Regional Forensic Unit 8.
Authorities are preparing the appropriate criminal charges against the four suspects for alleged violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
