2 “drug pushers” nabbed

CEBU, Philippines - Two suspected drug pushers were arrested by the operatives of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) during a buy-bust operation last Friday evening.

The suspects were identified as Evelyn Birao, 33, and her nephew, Edwin Bartolabac, 28, residents of Barangay Tajao, Pinamungajan town.

Birao is said to be in the police watch list of drug personalities in the province who can dispose at least 25 grams every week.

Police operatives led by PO3 Roderick Balili seized four large packs and eight medium packs of shabu worth P27,000 from the suspects. The police also recovered assorted drug paraphernalia.

It was Bartolabac who allegedly handed one medium pack of shabu to an undercover policeman during the buy-bust operation at 6 p.m. last Friday. Birao personally received the P500 marked-money from the undercover policeman.

The suspects will face criminal complaints for violation of Sections 5, 11 and 12 of RA 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. They are temporarily detained at the Consolacion police station pending the filing of the complaints.

Meanwhile, seven suspected drug users were also arrested two days ago in Sitio San Isidro, Barangay Poblacion, Sogod.

The members of the Provincial Intelligence Branch also conducted an anti-drug operation resulting in the confiscation of assorted firearms and several packs of shabu worth P20,000.

The suspects caught having drug session were identified as Nazareno Pricillas, 22; Jay Christian Ramos, 32; El June Enriquez, 31; Sergio Delos Santos, 31, and Adam Caballes, 36.

Also arrested in the buy-bust were Rodel Armilla, 32, and his nephew, Niño James Armilla, 25.

Confiscated were one large pack and 31 small packs of shabu, assorted drug paraphernalia, a .38 revolver loaded with five bullets, a .22 magnum revolver loaded with six bullets, a 9mm KG9 submachine pistol with two magazines and 15 bullets, a suppressor, a cellular phone, a notebook containing the collectibles of the suspects and a wig.

Charges for violating Sections 12 and 15 of Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against Ramos, Pricillas, Enriquez, Delos Santos and Caballes while violation for Sections 5 and 11 of RA 9265 will also be filed against Rodel and Niño James. Aside from it, they will also face charges for illegal possession of firearms.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Prosecutors Office recommended no bail for two suspected drug pushers earlier caught in a buy-bust operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The prosecutor’s office found probable cause to indict Archie Cabrillos and Junrey Ancero of the criminal complaints for selling illegal drugs.

During the operation, the law enforcers seized about 300 grams of shabu worth P1.5 million from the suspects. Both were arrested in Highway 77, Barangay Talamban, Cebu City. — Annie Fe Perez, UP Masscom intern and Ria Mae Y. Booc/FPL (FREEMAN)