ANTI-DRUG STING. Anti-narcotics agents and police officers conduct a chain of custody inventory of PHP14.7 million worth of shabu seized in a sting operation in San Nicolas-Proper, Cebu City, on March 11, 2023 that led to the arrest of two suspects. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Cebu (PDEA-7) bared Monday (March 13) that over PHP18 million worth of shabu were seized in different sting operations that led to the arrest of 15 personalities. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-7)
CEBU CITY – Anti-narcotics agents have seized more than PHP18 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested 15 personalities in various anti-drug sting operations in Central Visayas region, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) said Monday.
Leia Alcantara, PDEA-7 information officer, said the operation on B. Aranas St., Barangay San Nicolas-Proper on March 11 was the biggest haul after the PDEA-7 and the Regional Police Drug Enforcement (RPDEU) confiscated at least PHP14.7 million of suspected shabu.
Arrested were Hardy Catipay Paquite, 41, and Aljan Mijares Langga, 20. They were subjected to a two-week intelligence-driven operation, Alcantara said.
Meanwhile, PDEA-7 said a couple – Leonard Beltran, 34, and Mary Joy Beltran, 32 – was arrested on March 7 in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Pama, Barangay Suba here. They allegedly yielded PHP3.4 million worth of shabu.
On the other hand, PDEA-7 agents in Siquijor province, along with the local police and soldiers from the Army's 11th Infantry Battalion, conducted a sting operation in a supposed drug-cleared barangay of Baganya Pangi and seized from Gilrose Tangcalagan Jr. a gram of suspected shabu.
On the following day, elements of Police Station 5 and PDEA-7 arrested a regional target-listed personality identified as Keneth Lerio in Barangay Ermita here. He allegedly yielded 24 packs of suspected shabu weighing around 20 grams with an estimated market value of PHP136,000.
Alcantara also reported that nine people were arrested by the agents and the police in an alleged drug den inside the Taloto Public Cemetery in Tagbilaran City, on March 10.
Authorities arrested Bernard Manlupig, 59, the alleged caretaker of the drug den who was the subject of the sting operation.
Also arrested during the clearing operation were Manlupig’s alleged patrons, namely Rogelio Valmores, 44; Ruel Acuzar, 42; Allan David Despi, 25; Joseph Mahinay, 28; Christopher Caballero, 36; Rodel Libres, 36; and Erwin Valera, 42, tricycle drivers; and Jesse Arocha, 45, a multicab driver.
Seized from the suspects were 13 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP89,000 and other pieces of evidence.
All suspects are now facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)
