Nursing grad nabbed for shabu

CEBU, Philippines - A nursing graduate was arrested by the Argao police after he was caught having in his possession three small packets of shabu in an operation against illegal drugs Thursday evening in Barangay Canbanua, Argao.

Authorities arrested Ariel Chan Sardoncillo, 26, who immediately threw away a matchbox containing the illegal drugs in the presence of the police.

The illegal drugs were taken to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 in Camp Sotero Cabahug, Cebu City, for chemical analysis.

Police conducted a buy-bust operation supposedly to arrest Glenn Abrigana, reportedly a noted street pusher in the area, but Abrigana eluded arrest upon noticing the presence of policemen.

Utilizing a police poseur buyer, the operation was carried out at 7:40 in the evening.

Police were able to transact with Abrigana with one small packet of shabu in exchange for P500.

SPO1 Arnold Abenir, of the Argao Police Station, said Abrigana detected that he was transacting with a policeman which prompted him to elude arrest.

Sardoncillo, who was playing mahjong at that time, immediately threw away a matchbox containing illegal drugs which the police noticed.

“Wala na siya makasibat kay napiit man siya sa may bungbong dapit unya nakuptan na sa pulis. (He wasn’t able to elude arrest because he was trapped near the wall and policemen caught up with him),” Abenir said in a phone interview.

Sardoncillo is now detained at the Argao police stockade.

Police did not arrest those who were playing mahjong because they were able to present a permit allowing them to play. However, police confiscated the mahjong tiles.

A case for violating Section 5 of RA 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against Abrigana.

A separate case for violation of Section 11 of RA 9165 will also be filed against Sardoncillo. (FREEMAN)