P.5M Marijuana seized: ‘Drug lord’, 8 others fall in buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected drug lord and eight others were arrested in a buy-bust operation Friday afternoon at Barangay Inayawan resulting in the seizure of at least P500,000 worth of illegal drugs.

 Henry Monterde, an alleged drug lord in Barangay Sambag I, was arrested by the operatives of the City Intelligence Branch led by Supt. Romeo Santander Jr.

His cohorts, Epe Torrejas, 24, of Barangay Inayawan, and Efren Satore, 36, of Sibonga, Cebu, were also arrested during the operation along with six others—Vincent Blarusan, 21, Andrey Insila, 19, Ramil Delbo, Nelson Cantutay, 48,  Felix Tabal, 22, and  Mike Delicano, 18.

Monterde has been placed under police surveillance since Saturday last week after CIB received information about his illegal activities. Santander said that during the operation some of the suspects were caught having pot session.

The police recovered 24 bundles of dried marijuana leaves weighing more than a kilo each; 15, 000 marijuana sticks; one medium pack of shabu; assorted drug paraphernalia, and one caliber .38 revolver with four live rounds of ammunition.

Santander said the confiscated drugs has an estimated street value of at least P510,000. The police had a difficulty in penetrating the place of the suspect because of the narrow street. Santander said that the three-storey house occupied by the suspects also had security cameras.

The drugs were hidden at the second floor while the third floor was used as drug den.

Santander said that Monterde has been on the watch list of suspected drug personalities in the city. Monterde denied the accusation saying he was just walking outside when the police arrived and asked him to get inside the house.

  Monterde, who claims to be a nephew of a former congressman, said he does not even know what a marijuana and shabu look like.

 A criminal complaint for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the Comprehensive Law on Weapons and Ammunitions are being prepared for filing against Monterde. (FREEMAN)