CIDG-7 agents seize P3 million worth of drugs

CEBU – Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 bagged P3 million worth of alleged illegal drugs during a raid in the town of San Fernando last Sunday morning.

The team did not only confiscate white crystalline powder believed to be shabu, but also arrested an alleged level 2 drug pusher and his companion, who has a pending warrant of arrest for murder.

Arrested by the team led by Police Sr. Insp. Patrick Freddie Vaño was Joselito Caballero Navarro, 41 years old, of sitio Magtalisay, barangay Balud, San Fernando. He was caught red handed while repacking the substance at the basement of his residence.

Also arrested was Christopher Luna, who is facing charges for murder.

Seized by the team were 640 small packs of substance believed to be shabu and four big plastic bags containing the same substance.

Also seized were 200 pieces of empty plastic sachets, five improvised glass tooters, two tin foils, three improvised glass burners, 21 pieces of unused rolled tinfoil, four bamboo clips and three improvised carton refillers.

There were also two disposable lighters, two pairs of scissors, an improvised tooter stand, weighing scale, a mobile phone, and P20,000 cash in different denominations.

The team spent a week doing surveillance work before applying for a search warrant.

The warrant for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, was issued by Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes of Regional Trial Court Branch 13 of Cebu City, dated January 29.

CIDG-7 Chief Sr. Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said that said charges will be filed against Navarro yesterday or today.

Eleazar said that the raiding team immediately arrested Luna, who opened the door for them.

The two suspects did not resist arrest.

The CIDG said that Navarro can dispose of at least 200 grams of shabu weekly.

A caliber .45 pistol with six live ammunition was also seized from Luna, who was not able to present documents for such.

Eleazar said that it was the second time that Navarro has been arrested for the same violation. The first arrest was carried out by the Carcar police in 2001, but the case has been dismissed.

Navarro’s alleged area of distribution covers the southern municipalities of Cebu including Carcar City particularly barangay Liboron, which has been tagged as a hot spot for drugs.

Upon further check, the raiding team found out that Luna is alleged to be the gunman in the killing of a former American soldier and the wounding of the victim’s Filipina fiancée last July 24, 2006 in Cebu City.

Luna has a pending warrant issued by Judge Bienvenido Saniel of RTC Branch 20.

Victor Eugene Noe, 68, was killed in that shooting incident while his fiancée Catalina Cabanes was wounded in the attack. The two were shot after stepping out of a taxi cab in Banawa, barangay Guadalupe.

Luna was identified by witnesses.

Eleazar said that they will check Luna’s records to verify reports that he is also a gun for hire and would coordinate with the Cebu City Police Office to check other probable cases where he might be involved.

The pistol that was recovered from him would be submitted for bal;listics examination to the PNP Crime Laboratory.

Luna is the younger brother of Alemar Luna, an alleged member of the SPARU of the New People’s Army, who was killed years ago. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot and Bentley Naire Luyong /NLQ (THE FREEMAN)