P5 million worth of "cocaine" seized

CEBU, Philippines - The joint operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) and the Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN) yesterday seized P5 million worth of suspected cocaine during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Labangon.

The suspect who was only known by his alias, Yugan, was able to elude arrest after a brief chase with PDEA-7 and NAVFORCEN operatives along A. Lopez Street where the P200,000 transaction happened.

Yugan allegedly grappled for the one kilo suspected cocaine brick with the poseur buyer after he noticed the presence of the law enforcers. The suspect however was forced to flee, leaving the suspected drugs and the wads of “budol” money used in the buy-bust, to elude arrest.

“Gigunitan sa asset ang cocaine, nag-ilog sila, kita sa mga operatives na niduol, nakabantay si Yugan so nidagan. Gigukod but wa nasakpi,” said PDEA-7 deputy director Levi Ortiz.

Ortiz said the operation stemmed from the tip received by the NAVFORCEN informant. Yugan allegedly called the navy asset if he was interested to buy cocaine.

The asset reported the offer to Ensign Joseph Ison who immediately coordinated with the PDEA-7. The buy-bust operation was hatched using the navy asset as the poseur buyer.

The transaction was closed Saturday evening through cellular phone. The asset and the suspect agreed to meet at Villa Gonzalo for the transaction. However, Yugan made a last minute instruction to transfer the meeting place to Ponce Compound then later to A. Lopez St. in Labangon.

When the asset arrived at the designated meeting place, the suspect immediately approached him and asked for the money.

“Wa pa kanaog ang asset sa motor niduol na ang certain Yugan na kaila daan sa asset. Gipangayo ang money in exchange of the cocaine. Ang money kay budol money man so wala dayun gihatag sa asset,” Ortiz said.

The seized suspected cocaine was brought to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory for examination.

It was believed to be part of the 454 bricks of cocaine worth P2.2 billion which was thrown off from a foreign vessel in the seawaters of Samar. (FREEMAN)