5 fall in weekend busts

CEBU, Philippines – Police seized 123,000 worth of illegal drugs from five persons in separate buy-bust operations in Lapu-Lapu City over the weekend.

In Sitio Malinao, Barangay Agus, Mark Daño and wife Maricor Daño, both 37, were caught in their house by personnel of Marigondon Police Station around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Police Inspector Alcon Escosura said the main subject identified as alleged peddler Joseph Igot, 33, was also arrested inside the couple’s house, after he negotiated with a police poseur buyer.

Maricor was reportedly caught repacking shabu at that time, Escosura said. Her husband, Mark, was also alleged to be a drug peddler in the area, together with Igot.

Igot is one of the two most wanted drug personalities in Marigondon.

Four medium packs and three small sachets worth about P100,000 were confiscated during the operation. Police also seized P700 alleged proceeds of the illegal transactions and drug paraphernalia from the suspects.

Meanwhile, in Sitio Kulo, Barangay Canjulao, Junjie Tampus, 24, and Mark Anthony Doronilla, 32, were also apprehended by Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-City Intelligence Branch around 11:45 p.m. Friday.

Police Senior Inspector Mark Gifter Sucalit, chief of LCPO-CIB, said at least 143 small sachets of suspected shabu and a .45 caliber pistol with two gun holsters and six live ammunition rounds were seized from Tampus while another 60 pieces of the same size were confiscated from Doronilla.

The drugs sequestered from Doronilla were valued at P23,000.

The P200 marked money were recovered in each of the buy-bust operations.

The five suspects are now jailed in LCPO-Holding Cell and are facing charges under Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Police will file a separate complaint against Tampus for violation of Republic Act 10591 or Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. (FREEMAN)