P13.6 million shabu, marijuana seized

CEBU, Philippines — Around P13.6 million worth of suspected shabu and marijuana stalks were confiscated by authorities in separate anti-illegal drug operations conducted in Talisay City and Cebu City last Tuesday.

Operatives also arrested 61 drugs personalities including two high-value targets.

On Tuesday at 9:30 pm, Mesael Palermo, 35 and his wife, Janice, 29, were arrested in a buy-bust operation by the elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) in Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City.

The couple yielded 600 grams of shabu worth P3 million.

PDEA-7 spokesperson Leia Albiar said the couple is considered as high-value targets based on the bulk of drugs they can dispose of per week.

The suspects have worked under self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones and eventually took over the operations in Talisay when Sabalones surrendered.

She said that the two were subjected to a surveillance for three weeks before a covert cop bought P15,000 worth of shabu using boodle money.

Albiar added the couple owns properties although they do not have regular jobs and they also operate several video karera machines.

During the surveillance, Albiar said they have initial information that the couple uses their money remittance business as a front to receive money from illegal drug trades. However, the information is still subject for validation.

She added that PDEA will investigate more to determine the couple’s source of the drugs. The yellowish gradient of the shabu confiscated this time is an indication that the substance is low-grade and more harmful to the user.

Marijuana

Also last Tuesday night, operative from Cebu City Mobile Force Company and PDEA- 7 uprooted 22,536 fully grown and juvenile marijuana stalks worth more than P9 million from six plantation sites in Barangay Tagbao, Cebu City.

According to Albiar, an anonymous informant tipped the authorities of the marijuana plants, which were strategically located in areas that are hard to reach because of the steep slopes and thick vegetation.

However, they have not arrested the cultivators or caretakers.

Most of the marijuana plants were burned on site while a few stalks were taken to the laboratory.

Oplan Pokemon

Meanwhile, the 64th weekly roundup of Cebu City Police Office involving its 11 police stations dubbed as Oplan Pokemon netted 59 personalities and confiscated a total of P1.6 million worth of drugs.

On the other hand, complaint for violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act was filed on Tuesday before the Prosecutor’s Office against two alleged drug pushers identified as Barbara May Fernandez and Raniel Garrido.

Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) Chief Glenn Mayam told The FREEMAN both accused, who were arrested last Friday, chose not to file counter-affidavit during the inquest proceeding.

Fernandez’s live-in partner is presently jailed at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center (BBRC) for the same offense. He is in the drug watchlist of CCPO while Garrido’s operation was monitored by Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO). 

Recovered from the alleged drug pushers were packs of shabu estimated to worth P1.5 million.  — Mae Clydyl L. Avila with Sheil Corrine Garces, CNU Comm Intern/MBG (FREEMAN)