Four fall in buy-bust operation

CEBU, Philippines —  Four individuals were arrested in a buy-bust operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 Regional Special Enforcement Team together with Cebu City Police Office Station 10 in Labangon last Friday, in Sitio Espekapa, Barangay Tisa.

One of those arrested was in the PDEA-PNP regional target list.

PDEA-7 information officer Leia Alcantara said that apprehended during the operation was the drug den maintainer and regional target-listed individual identified as Renan G. Sayson, unemployed, a resident of the said barangay.

Also caught visiting the drug den were his brother Reynaldo G. Sayson, 38, unemployed, of Tisa; Romeo P. Tabanas, Jr., 33, a laborer, also of Tisa; and Cilso A. Reponte, 54, an event decorator, of Inayagan, Naga City.

Confiscated during the operation were 10 packs of shabu weighing around 85 grams and estimated at ?578,000, an empty sachet with shabu traces, buy-bust money, cash in various denominations, and several drug paraphernalia.

The four are set to face drug charges.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-7 has reported confiscating a total of ?4.8 million worth of illegal drugs in their 117 drug operations conducted from October 14 to 20, 2024 wherein 355 drug personalities were also arrested.

The PRO-7 likewise reported that from October 14 to 16, 2024, their operation resulted in the apprehension of 324 individuals and the confiscation of illegal drugs valued at ?3 million.

During these operations, a total of 108 drug personalities were apprehended and police confiscated 446.73 grams of illegal drugs worth ?3 million through 92 operations conducted.

In addition, the crackdown on illegal gambling operations led to the arrest of 101 individuals, along with the confiscation of ?8,128 in bet money and illegal gambling paraphernalia.

Eighty-one unlicensed firearms were also seized, and eleven individuals were apprehended.

The operations also yielded the arrest of 17 most wanted persons and 87 individuals with pending arrest warrants.

“The combined efforts of various law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders demonstrate a shared dedication to ensuring the safety and security of the people of Central Visayas," said PRO-7 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin as he lauded the performance of policemen. (CEBU NEWS)