Ex-cop, 4 designers nabbed for drugs

CEBU, Philippines - A former police officer and five other persons were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in Cebu City just recently.

One of the operations was carried out at F. Ramos St., Barangay Central Cogon Ramos at past 7 pm last Tuesday and led to the arrest of Junicar Estiñoso, 39, a dismissed policeman who has figured in previous controversies including his alleged involvement in illegal drugs trade.

Operatives of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (RAIDSOTG) also arrested Estiñoso’s alleged cohort, Norsia Daligdig with aliases Norsie Mamao and Lucia Mamao, 29.

A poseur-buyer pretended to buy P25,000 worth of shabu from the suspects and as soon as Estiñoso received the boodle money, RAIDSOTG operatives led by Senior Insp. Henrix Bancoleta arrested him and his companion.

Police recovered a medium-sized pack of suspected shabu from Estiñoso’s possession along with two other packs during body search.

The authorities also recovered a mobile phone and a white Ford F150 (WGJ 772) from the suspects.

Estiñoso, a resident of Barangay Sambag 2, kept mum on his arrest while Daligdig said the police planted the evidence against them.

In an interview over GMA Balitang Bisdak, Daligdig, a resident of Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City, said she was even hurt when the policemen forced her inside their car.

Senior Supt. Orlando Ualat, Deputy Regional Director for Operations, said Estiñoso’s livelihood has been illegal drug trading since he was dismissed from the police service in 2007.

“There’s also a possibility na even before na active pa siya sa service, involved na siya sa drug trade, (There’s also a possibility that he was already involved in the drug trade even before, when he was still active in the service),” Ualat said.

Police said the drug suspect sells shabu even in other regions particularly in Southern Leyte.

Estiñoso became controversial when he drove a police patrol car to a motel with a woman and later figured in a road accident.

Meanwhile, four local fashion designers were also arrested by police after another illegal drug called ecstasy were seized from them in another buy-bust operation in Barangay Lahug at 1 am yesterday.

Police identified the suspects as Ivan Belocura alias Inday, 37, who allegedly sold the ecstasy, and Junjie Ignacio, 24; Glenn Libradilla, 23; and Ryan Dumago, 31, all designers in profession who were also seized with the capsule they apparently bought from Belocura.

Police said the ecstasy, with two to three hours effect, is often used by partygoers.

The suspects are now detained and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. —/MIT (FREEMAN)