Illegal drug operations net two alleged pushers

CEBU, Philippines – A woman tagged as second in the target list of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 for illegal drugs in Central Visayas was arrested by PDEA operatives in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City on Monday.

Sofia Gadian Tabalin, 39, yielded at least two sachets of suspected shabu when she was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by a team of PDEA operatives.

Jessie Tabanao, spokesperson of PDEA-7, said the team led by Intelligence Officer 3 Mark Maramba arranged the buy-bust operation at around 5 pm.

Tabalin was immediately arrested after she handed over a sachet of the prohibited drugs to a PDEA agent who acted as poseur-buyer for P1,000.

She was later subjected to further body search and the apprehending officers recovered from her possession another sachet of suspected shabu.

Tabanao described Tabalin as a bigtime drug pusher who can dispose of over 200 grams of shabu a week.

The suspect, who is now detained at the PDEA detention cell, will face a case for violation of Section 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act 2002.

Tabalin, however, vehemently denied the accusation that she is a drug pusher. She said she was just invited by the operatives to their office but was then placed under arrest. She declined to elaborate.

Meanwhile, a 22-year-old man was arrested by the PDEA in Danao City Monday night.

PDEA operatives seized nine sachets of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, an unlicensed firearm and ammunition from the suspect identified as Mark Jusen Alvaro.

Alvaro was arrested by a PDEA team led by IO3 George Cansancio along Highway Looc past 9 p.m. after giving a small sachet of suspected shabu to another PDEA agent, who acted as poseur-buyer.

Cases for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of RA 9165, for violation of RA 8294 or illegal possession of firearms, and for violation of the Comelec gun ban will be filed against the suspect.

The confiscated pieces of drug evidence were submitted to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory for examination. (FREEMAN)