Suspected drug peddler escapes but cohort falls

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected Level 2 drug pusher was able to elude arrest but his cohort fell to the hands of police during a buy-bust operation in Sitio Pailub, Barangay Sambag 2, Cebu City on Thursday evening.

The drug bust was carried out by operatives of the City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office.

CIB chief Superintendent Romeo Santander identified the subject of the operation as a certain “Darwin” who managed to escape by jumping off from a house’s window just when police arrived around 11 p.m.

Darwin’s alleged cohort, Darwin Saceda (sic), 35, was apprehended after personally selling a small pack of suspected shabu to a police decoy in exchange for P200.

The police confiscated from Saceda a small pack of suspected shabu, which was the subject of the buy-bust, another 33 small packs of suspected shabu, one .22 caliber revolver loaded with five ammunitions, one gun holster, cellular phones, two hand-held radio receivers, the P200 marked money and P220 cash.

The illegal drugs seized from Saceda were pegged at P15,000.

According to Santander, they received information from the barangay officials and residents that a certain Darwin is engaged in peddling illegal drugs in the area.

Officials raised concern because most of Darwin’s customers are reportedly students of a nearby school.

“Lisod na kung atong pasagdan unya mahulog na ni siya nga major problem unya mga estudiyante,” Santander said.

Santander said they have placed Darwin under surveillance for two weeks.

Unfortunately, Darwin was able to escape after he sensed police presence in the area using one of the hand-held radio receivers that were later recovered.

Santander said Darwin possibly had a look-out at that time and used the hand-held radio receivers to communicate with each other.

Saceda, who is now currently detained, will face charges for violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and of Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento (FREEMAN)