4 drug suspects arrested, P700 thousand shabu seized in buy-busts

CEBU, Philippines — Four suspected drug personalities, including two high-value targets, were arrested in separate buy-bust operations Wednesday resulting in the confiscation of at least P700,000 worth of illegal drugs.

In the first operation, members of the Provincial Intelligence Branch arrested Jude Mar Abastillas Villarosa, 34, in Sitio Bahala, Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City.

Villarosa, a high-value target, sold two packs of shabu to undercover police operative early morning on Wednesday. The police also confiscated several packs of illegal drugs from him weighing 25.32 grams and with an estimated value of P170,000.

Villarosa’s arrest has led anti-narcotics operatives to his contacts in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City. During a follow up operation Wednesday afternoon the police arrested Stephen Malacaste Cojo, 29; Keannu Christian Cabije Labuca, 22; and Rhyle Cabanday Cabaron,19, all residents of Barangay Pasil. Cojo is said to be a high-value target while the two others are also in the drugs watchlist.    

Police operatives seized from their possession 85.20 grams of shabu with estimated value of P500,000. There were also 19 sticks of marijuana recovered from them.

Lieutenant Colonel Virgillio Bayon-on, spokesperson of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, said the arrest of the three drug suspects in Pasil was a result of the information they were able to extract from Villarosa.

 “May mga info na gi-trace nila, mao ning nakuha nila. Nagdugtong-dugtong ang info mato to’ng nakuha pud tung sa Pasil,” Bayon-on said.

The suspects will face criminal complaints for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article 2 of the Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. — FPL (FREEMAN)