One suspect falls, 2 others flee in drug raid at Ermita

One suspected drug pusher was arrested but two others escaped while several packs of shabu were seized in three raids at sitio Bato in barangay Ermita yesterday dawn.

The raiding team was composed of members of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch, the Vice Control Section, and the Special Weapons and Tactics, with Supt. Pablo Labra, Sr/Insp. George Ylanan, and Sr/Insp. Wilbert Parilla, at the helm.

With barangay officials and tanods as witnesses, the policemen raided the houses of Reynaldo Agujar, Ponciano Ando, and Roel Moaña, based on a search warrant that Regional Trial Court Judge Geraldine Faith Econg had earlier issued.

Only Agujar, who was caught sleeping, was arrested after the two other suspects escape before the policemen could get inside their respective houses.

Seized from the house of Agujar were two big plastic packs and six packets of suspected shabu, and drug paraphernalia.

Seized from Ando's house were a big pack, a medium-sized pack, 22 smaller packs and a small but elongated pack of suspected shabu.

From Moaña's house, the police got a big plastic pack and ten smaller packs of suspected shabu, and P3300 that are believed to be proceeds of the suspect's illegal drug trade.

Labra told The Freeman that the three suspects were level-3 drug pushers who could sell a maximum of 200 grams of shabu every week. They will be indicted today for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act, he said. - Edwin Ian Melecio/RAE