10 fall, P182T shabu seized in drug bust

CEBU, Philippines -  At least ten persons including an alleged level two drug pusher and his pregnant sister and their mother were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Catarman, Liloan last Saturday.

Some P182,000 worth of suspected shabu were also confiscated during the operation conducted by the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group in cooperation with the Provincial Intelligence Branch, and the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch.

Arrested was Reynan Julles Lofranco, the subject of the operation, who allegedly sold a pack of shabu worth P250 to poseur buyer.

Lofranco’s mother, Mari Warlita Lofranco and his sister Sarah May Lofranco, were also arrested with him.

The police also apprehended Alren Bantiles, Erwin Bugtay, Tirso Vergara Jr., Jedan de Guzman, Kient Balaba, Jerome Abinasa, and Eugene Restauro who were found inside the house of the Lofrancos, which was believed to be a drug den.

Senior Inspector Leo Logroño, PIB team leader, said that Reynan was placed under two-week surveillance after they received information of his drug transactions.

After conducting a test buy and confirming that the suspect indeed sells illegal drugs, the police arranged the buy-bust operation.

The police recovered three large packs and ten small packs of suspected shabu the Dangerous Drugs Board estimated to be worth P188,000.

Receipts from money remittance centers were also found inside the house.

Logroño said that during the investigation, the suspect alleged that they were just renting the house and that he gets his supply of drugs from Cebu City.

 The suspects are now detained at Consolacion Police Station’s stockade and will face charges today.  (FREEMAN)