CEBU - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 arrested a level-two drug pusher and his cohort in a buy-bust operation last Tuesday night in barangay Duljo-Fatima.
Yesterday, the PDEA presented to the media the two suspects identified as Marlon Cuizon, 25, and Ricardo Dinawanao, 18, both residents of the place.
PDEA spokesperson Jessie Tabanao confirmed that Cuizon is a level-2 drug pusher and has been involved in the illegal drug trade for a long time already. A level-two pusher is somebody who can dispose of as much as 200 grams weekly.
Tabanao said that they had placed Cuizon under surveillance for over a month after receiving information of his illegal drug dealings.
After finding such to be positive, they then carried out the buy-bust operation wherein one of their companions transacted with Cuizon for a pack of shabu worth P200 in a compound of the said place.
Tabanao further said that it was Dinawanao who opened the door for them and led the poseur-buyer to Cuizon. After Cuizon received the P200 payment, PDEA personnel grabbed him by the arm including Dinawanao.
Other than the pack already held by arresting officers, another 144 packs of shabu placed inside a small plastic container were recovered from Cuizon.
And an additional four packs of shabu were fished out of Dinawanao’s pocket, Tabanao added.
However, during an interview, Cuizon insisted that because he has to survive he agreed when a certain Inting hired him to sell the packs of shabu.
“Suweldohan daw ko niya (referring to Inting) og P350 kung mahurot tanan og kahalin,” Cuizon said.
Meanwhile, Dinawanao denied involvement in the illegal drug trade, saying “dili na ako ang butang (shabu) uy. Tigbantay ra man ko sa gate n’ya tagaan ko’g P150.”
Charges will be filed today against Cuizon and Dinawanao who are now detained at the PDEA detention cell. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/MEEV (The Freeman)