CIDG raids 'shabu tiangge' in Lapu

Elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 conducted an early dawn raid yesterday on a suspected "shabu tiangge" in sitio Zone Sunlot, Kalawisan, Lapu-Lapu City following reports of rampant drug operations there.

The CIDG-7 team led by chief inspector Fermin Armendares, III was armed with a search warrant issued by RTC-Branch 9 judge Geraldine Faith Econg against Joemar Inihao alias Osting for violation of the dangerous drugs law.

Armendares told The FREEMAN that Inihao is reportedly a notorious drug peddler in the area who carries out drug transactions through a small window that looked like a cashier booth in his house.

Police raiders said it is indeed suspicious for his residence to have three exit doors but with only one entrance door.

The CIDG team was accompanied by barangay tanods in the area identified as Reynaldo Berdon and Rodolfo Suan who served as witnesses.

Police seized from Inihao a medium-size pack with suspected shabu. During the search inside the house, raiders found several empty plastic packs containing suspected shabu with residue scattered on the floor including used tissue wicks and aluminum foils.

Armendares said that they also found rooms he believes was intentionally made for the purpose of sniffing shabu where numerous empty packs of suspected shabu were reportedly found.

One of the operatives told The FREEMAN that they heard from barangay officials the said drug den is allegedly protected by a policeman, but Armendares declined from naming the accused cop as they are still verifying on the cop's involvement. - Edwin Ian Melecio