“Shabu Tiangge” busted in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines - Four people were arrested Friday evening when members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 raided an alleged “Shabu Tiangge” in Barangay Tangke, Talisay City resulting in the seizure of at least P200,000 worth of illegal drugs.

One of the suspects was shot in the right foot after he stabbed one of the police operatives. 

The suspects were identified as Gabby Abapo, 28; Jalen Gonzales, 31, of Barangay San Roque, Talisay City; Rose Sheila Torres, 31, and Roger Dejoras, 28, both from Barangay Tangke in the same city.

CIDG-7 chief Superintendent Marlon Tayaba said they have been receiving complaints about the said illegal activity in the area prompting them to conduct monitoring and surveillance operations.

Tayaba said they found out that sidewalk vendors in the area were not just ordinary vendors because they are selling drugs.

“We even conducted test-buy operation and videoed the illegal activities in the area,” said Tayaba.

He said there were around five or six stalls along a street in Barangay Tangke where drug pushers would sell illegal drugs in small packs. These stalls were only shaded by beach umbrellas with tables where drugs and paraphernalia are displayed.

“Lantaran talaga sila. They’re confident that the police will not catch them,” he said.

After conducting test-buy, CIDG-7 operatives swooped down on the alleged “Shabu Tiangge” Friday night.

The suspects were not able to notice the presence of the CIDG-7 operatives until they identified themselves.

 Dejoras resisted arrest and stabbed one of the policemen in the right shoulder. He was, however, shot in the right foot.

Both Dejoras and the injured policeman, who requested not to be named for security reason, were rushed to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

“Ok naman ang ilang condition,” said Tayaba.

The policemen were able to seize 316 small packs of shabu worth at least P200,000.

According to Tayaba, the suspects are considered street level pushers who have different kinds of customers, including students.

“Kahit street level lang sila, eh kung marami naman sila, malaki na rin impact nun,” said Tayaba.

Except for Torres, all of the suspects admitted selling illegal drugs. However, they claimed that they were only given P5 commission for every pack of shabu sold.

Torres said she was just in the area during the raid because she had paper bill changed with coins.

The suspects will face criminal complaints for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.—  (FREEMAN)