After cebu, syndicate hits Bacolod Cops seize more shabu in sandals

CEBU, Philippines - The recently confiscated shipment of P8 million worth of shabu hidden in the hollowed-out soles of sandals may be part of an even bigger drug operation after another shipment of shabu, also hidden in the hollowed-out soles of sandals, was intercepted in Bacolod City yesterday afternoon, this one valued at P7 million.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-6 regional director Paul Ledesma said they also arrested the consignee identified as Edgardo Justo, who also goes by the alias “Rey Roman”, 36, of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Murcia town, Negros Occidental.

Justo claimed the parcel containing ten pairs of sandals in the office of a private courier at a mall. It was when he opened the parcel in the parking lot when PDEA-6 agents arrested him.

In a telephone interview, Ronnie Delicana of PDEA-6 said that this was the third time PDEA-6 intercepted drugs using a private courier. The first was in Iloilo and the second in Cadiz, they seized 200 grams and half a kilo of shabu, respectively.

Delicana said that the suspect identified himself as a businessman and said this was the first time he was arrested.

Charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of  2002 will be filed against the suspect.

Just last Monday, PDEA-7 agents arrested Editha Paul and her daughter Maricris in Cebu City after they picked up a parcel containing 10 pairs of sandals that also concealed a kilo of shabu valued at P8 million.

While the PDEA insist the two are distributors of illegal drugs in Lorega and T. Padilla, their neighbors do not believe it.

The FREEMAN went to their house at Sitio San Roque, Barangay Lorega, and saw that they only lived in a shanty. Editha’s house is still unfinished after the fire in Lorega last March destroyed her house. The shanty contained nothing more than a mat, a dining table and some personal belongings.

Editha has no job and only does laundry job for a living and her husband is a senior citizen who is reportedly sick, for this reason some of their neighbors cannot believe that they are involved in illegal drugs.

Cherry Booyaban, said she was shocked when she heard the news over the radio that the two were arrested.

“Na-shock gyud mi tanan,” she said.

Cherry’s cousin Arlene Booyaban, 43, said Editha was washing her clothes before she left the house together with her daughter Maricris around noon to get the parcel.

She said she also cannot believe the two were selling drugs in the area.

“Dili ko motuo na ilaha to. Kadaghan atong shabuha. Wala man sila mamaligya diri,” she said.

The Paul family has been living in Barangay Lorega for 10 years.

Lorega councilwoman Joan Babaysol said Editha is known as “Jojo” by her neighbors. She said Editha was called by the barangay after some neighbors complained about her, but it had nothing to do with drugs.

PDEA-7 is still preparing the case against them. —/BRP (FREEMAN)