Level-3 pusher nabbed in raid

A suspected level-3 drug pusher was arrested in a raid conducted by elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 at sitio Ylaya, Pag-ambakon, Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning and seized seven sachets of suspected shabu worth P1,000 each.

Edgar Espinosa alias "Egal", 30, a resident of the place, was arrested by the elements of the CIDG-7 led by Police S/Insp. Patrick Vaño pursuant to a search warrant issued by Hon. Fortunato de Gracia, Jr., presiding judge of Branch 15 of the 7th Regional Trial Court-Cebu City.

Vaño told reporters yesterday that a brief chase happened after the suspect attempted to escape upon learning of the presence of the authorities. However, they were able to arrest the suspect and recovered the said suspected shabu, and shabu paraphernalia inside his residence.

Vaño said that Espinosa is a level-3 drug pusher, who disposes a hundred grams of shabu a week and was even arrested before but was released from jail after posting bail.

Espinosa told reporters that he only started selling lately, but said he was arrested in a buy bust operation in 1999 also at their place. Later, he already refused to give further comments to the media.

The search operation was done in an orderly and peaceful manner and witnessed by tanods Domingo Sentillas and Lorenzo Amores, both resident of the place.

The said arrested person was properly appraised of his constitutional rights and brought to the Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit office at the Camp Sotero Cabahug, Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City, together with the confiscated items for documentation.

The suspected shabu were submitted to the office of the PNP Crime Laboratory Office-7 for examination, while appropriate charges against the suspect is being prepared for filing in court. - Norvie S. Misa