P278.8 milyong drug haul

CEBU, Philippines — Around 41 kilos of shabu worth ?278.8 million were seized from a 30-year-old habal-habal driver during a buy-bust operation along Arca Street in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, on Sunday morning, October 11.

Authorities identified the suspect by his alias Emon, a resident of Barangay Basak-Pardo, Cebu City.

Joint operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7), the PNP Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 7 (PNP DEG SOU-7), and Mabolo Police Station 4 conducted the operation, seizing the illegal drugs and a Toyota RAV4 with plate number ZKM 377, which was allegedly used to transport the contraband.

Authorities said the operation followed more than a month of surveillance. They alleged that the suspect was part of a drug group capable of distributing five to 10 kilos of illegal drugs weekly.

Emon allegedly served as a courier for the group, transporting illegal drugs from Zamboanga to Cebu City.

The suspect reportedly admitted to transporting illegal drugs but claimed that a friend had instructed him to retrieve the shipment. He also allegedly said he was paid ?10,000 weekly for his services.

Authorities are tracing the source of the seized drugs and investigating the suspect’s possible links to a wider drug distribution network operating across Cebu Island.

Emon remains in the custody of PDEA-7 and is expected to face charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (CEBU NEWS)