5 arrested; over P400T drugs seized

CEBU, Philippines - Five people were arrested and over P400,000 worth of illegal drugs was seized in two separate buy-bust operations Wednesday in the cities of Danao and Lapu-Lapu.

Operatives of the Regional Special Operations Group arrested Jason Mingay, 26, and Popipol Yun-ting, 53, in Sitio Seaside, Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, where close to P300,000 worth of illegal drugs was seized from the two Wednesday evening.

Mingay and Yunting were apprehended after personally selling three small packs of suspected shabu to a police poseur-buyer in exchange of P600.

 RSOG chief, Superintendent Rex Derilo, said Mingay is considered a level two drug pusher who can dispose of 200 grams a week. Mingay was the subject of the buy-bust operation while Yunting served as his cohort during the transaction.

 Derilo added that they have placed Mingay under surveillance for two weeks.

 The police recovered three big packs of suspected shabu weighing five grams each and 255 small packs of suspected shabu from Mingay and Yunting’s possession.

 They also confiscated P600 buy-bust money, several drug paraphernalia and P2,500 cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal drug trade.

 Derilo said that upon their investigation, they found that Mingay and Yun-ting get their supply of illegal drugs from Muntinlupa.

 He cited that the information that Mingay is involved in illegal drug peddling in Lapu-Lapu City came from the data they have gathered from their previous several arrests.

 Mingay admitted that he has been selling illegal drugs for five months already.

 Mingay and Yunting are currently detained at the Police Regional Office – 7 detention cell. They will face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dange-rous Drugs Act.

Meanwhile, three suspected drug pushers were arrested while one eluded arrest in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Provincial Intelligence Branch in Barangay Cambiohan, Danao City where P150,000 worth of shabu and two hand guns were confiscated.

PIB operatives led by Senior Inspector Leo Lorgroño went to Danao City to conduct an operation against a certain “Raymund.”

During the buy-bust operation, Raymund Batulan, 28, of Barangay Cambiohan, sensed the presence of the police and ran away to elude arrest.

Batulan’s alleged cohorts Geran “Hapon” Sorilla, 29, of Barangay Cambiohan, Richard Matugas, 20, and Roger Matugas, 24 of Barangay Masaba were arrested by the PIB operatives.

The police recovered four large packs, two medium sized packs, two small packs of suspected shabu and 10 packs containing suspected dried marijuana leaves worth over P150,000.

The police also recovered a .45 caliber pistol, a 9mm caliber pistol, .22 cali-ber black widow revolver, a pocket notebook with names and collectibles written on it, and Raymund Batulan’s voter’s identification card.

Even though Batulan evaded arrest, he along with the three others will still face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The arrested persons are now detained at the Consolacion Police Station.  (FREEMAN)