Foiled drug bust leads to cache of firearms

CEBU, Philippines - At least four assorted firearms were seized by the operatives of the City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office from the house of a suspected drug pusher in Barangay Calamba.

A drug buy-bust operation Sunday evening against Paka Flores has led the police operatives to his house where the unlicensed firearms were recovered. Among the cache of firearms seized by the police operatives are .357 revolver, Cal. 45 pistol, Cal. 22 revolver and Ingram machine pistol.

CIB chief Romeo Santander said they were on a buy-bust operation against Flores, a known drug personality, when the latter escaped from the dragnet. Police operatives chased him inside his house but Flores escaped through a secret passage.

However, police operatives saw, in plain view, the illegal firearms inside his house. Aside from the firearms, the police also recovered two magazines for cal. 45, a magazine assembly for 9mm Ingram machine pistol, and 27 assorted live bullets. They also recovered eight small packs of shabu, including the plastic pack seized during the buy-bust.

The police believe that Flores is also involved in gunrunning. He is allegedly supplying firearms to robbers operating in Cebu City.

Santander said they will be filing complaints for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and illegal possession of firearms against Flores. (FREEMAN)