P110T shabu seized in town drug bust

CEBU, Philippines - Police in Balamban town confiscated at least P110,000 worth of suspected shabu from an alleged drug pusher who managed to elude arrest in yesterday’s buy-bust operation in Barangay Pondol.

Suspect Rex Baguio apparently sensed that he was dealing with the authorities and managed to escape immediately after receiving the buy-bust money from the poseur-buyer in exchange for the P500 worth of shabu.

Operatives from Balamban Police proceeded to Baguio’s house at around 1 a.m. yesterday to subject the suspect to a buy-bust operation after placing him under two-month surveillance.

Senior Police Officer 2 Jose Ranielito Villarino said the suspect brought the poseur-buyer with him inside his room where he handed over the pack of shabu and received the P500 supposed payment.

When the transaction was consummated, the poseur-buyer made the pre-arranged signal to other policemen who were on standby.

Villarino said they were at the back of Baguio’s house and about to respond when they noticed someone, who turned out to be the suspect, swiftly running away from where they were standing.

“Grabi modala og lugnot. Maayo kaayo modala og abli sa pultahan, wala’y kansaas. Morag hangin niagi sa among kilid,” Villarino said, referring to Baguio.

The police searched the suspect’s house and found a large plastic pack of shabu worth P110,000, several drug paraphernalia, and six rounds of a 12-gauge shotgun.

A hot pursuit operation is underway for the arrest of the suspect who will be facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.

Meanwhile, a suspected drug pusher was arrested after he yielded several packs of shabu and drug paraphernalia in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Bagasawe, Tuburan town last Saturday morning.

Tuburan Police were also armed with a search warrant against suspect Wilfredo Talaugon, 57, issued by Judge Hermes Montero of the Regional Trial Court Branch 59.

Talaugon was placed under arrest after he handed over a pack of shabu worth P300 to a police officer who posed as the poseur-buyer.

His illegal drug activities were confirmed, prompting the police to arrest the suspect.

Following the buy-bust operation, the police implemented the search warrant and recovered a medium-sized pack and four smaller packs of suspected shabu from the suspect's house.

Talaugon is reportedly a level three drug pusher who can dispose at least 50 grams of shabu in a week.  (FREEMAN)