Cocaine courier charged in court

CEBU, Philippines – A mining executive was charged in court for drug pushing following his arrest Tuesday afternoon during a buy-bust operation wherein a kilo of cocaine was seized from his possession.

Russel Rosales, 38, resident of Lipata, Minglanilla, was indicted for violation of section 5 Article II of the Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Assistant Cebu City prosecutor Aida Sanchez found sufficient evidence during inquest investigation to elevate the case before the Regional Trial Court against Rosales. The prosecutor's office also did not recommend bail for his temporary liberty.

Lawyer Danilo Yap, counsel for Rosales, said his client decided not to sign a waiver of detention and instead opted to answer the case during the trial proper.

Rosales alias Rochelle was arrested at the parking lot of a hotel in Barangay Zapatera Tuesday afternoon after he sold cocaine brick to an undercover policeman.

Deputy regional director for operations Sr. Supt. Louie Oppus said that the members of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force from Central Visayas and Manila arranged the transaction with Rosales.

The transaction was originally set in Manila but Rosales was clever enough to move the meeting place thrice before finally agreeing to close the deal in Cebu. A "budol" money made of wad papers and P2,000 marked bills was used during transaction.

Rosales, after accepting the supposed payment, handed a cocaine brick to the undercover policeman. The rest of the operatives immediately rushed up and placed him under arrest.

The cocaine brick seized from Rosales was estimated P2 million to P3 million worth and believed to be part of the two tons of cocaine shipment thrown off from Hongkong-bound Chinese vessel and was washed towards the shores of Samar province in December.

Drug syndicate was believed to have panicked after learning that the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (USDEA) and US coastguard were monitoring them.

Rosales reportedly admitted to the police that he got the supply of cocaine from Ormoc City in Leyte.

Despite a considerable amount of cocaine already seized by authorities in the country, a police official said shabu remains the most abused illegal drugs. Sr. Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe said cocaine is famous or a drug of choice for the wealthy ones. - Mylen P. Manto and Niña G. Sumacot/FPL (FREEMAN)