Two suspects arrested in separate drugs ops

CEBU, Philippines - A native of Barangay Labangon this city was arrested in a buy bust operation in Barangay Nonoc in Larena town, Siquijor late afternoon last Friday.

Personnel of the Larena Police and Provincial Intelligence Branch in Siquijor arrested Jandy Hernandez, 35, when he handed over packs of suspected shabu to a police asset who acted as poseur buyer.

Fourteen packs of suspected shabu were seized from him during the operation. Police also recovered the mobile phone reportedly used in the transaction, a knife, a lighter, and five pieces of P500 bills, four of which used by the police asset in buying the drugs.

Police said the suspect owns cellphone repair shops in Lazi, Larena, and Siquijor and has allegedly been engaged in illegal activities since 2003.

Senior Insp. Philip Silva who led the operation identified Hernandez as a native of Buhisan Road in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City. He is reportedly staying temporarily at a public market in Larena, Siquijor.

Silva said the suspected packs of shabu were reportedly to be delivered to Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental to determine their weight and street value.

Silva said the cellphone confiscated from the suspect still contains his transactions with other buyers.

Hernandez, in an interview, did not deny the allegations against him and said he still has no idea on what steps to take next.

Meanwhile, in Talisay City, authorities arrested a certain Marites Cuico, 40, by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Soliver Peras.

Operatives of the Talisay City Police led by P/Insp. Hugo Rio Ipong under the supervision of P/Supt. Henry Biñas swooped in on Cuico’s residence in Barangay Tanke at 5:40 am yesterday. 

Police confiscated a big scissor, a small scissor, a big transparent plastic containing white crystalline substance, two medium-sized plastic packs also containing white crystalline substance, 21 small packs of white crystalline substance, and 20 other small packs of white crystalline substance packed inside a medium-sized plastic.

PO2 Narciso Alforque told The FREEMAN that the white crystalline substance is believed to be shabu. Cuico is believed to be a pusher basing on the evidences confiscated from her, Alforque said.

Cuico is now detained at the Talisay City Police Station.

The other members of the arresting team are PO3 Rey Bucao, PO3 Benedicto Lasque, PO2 Roy Lufranco, and PO1 Euwen Pitogo.  (FREEMAN NEWS)