2 neighbors arrested for drug possession

CEBU, Philippines - Two residents of barangay T. Padilla, Cebu City were arrested during simultaneous raids conducted by the elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 early morning last Friday.

Charges for violation of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are now being readied against Berlyn Barona, 27, and Raul “Jun-Jun” Jemeno Jr., 33. They both yielded shabu and drug paraphernalia during the operation that was done at 8:50 a.m.

Elements of the CIDG-7 led by Sr. Insp. Patrick Freddie Vaño arrested Barona in her house at T. Villa St., while SPO4 Edmund Junco carried another raid some 70 meters away in the house of Jemeno at Lomar St.

Vaño said the suspects did not resist arrest during the search that was witnessed by barangay tanods Remedio Bergamo Sr., Romeo Desto and Ruben Navarro.

The police official revealed that the two suspects were placed under two weeks of surveillance and the search was done by virtue of search warrants issued by Judge Soliver Peras of RTC Branch 10 last February 12.

Recovered from Barona were two medium plastic sachets and 11 small others containing white crystalline substances commonly known as shabu, seven small plastic sachets with shabu residue, 20 medium-sized empty plastic sachets, four disposable lighters, two pairs of scissors, a needle, blade, paper clip, and an improvised scoop.

Seized from Jemeno were seven small plastic sachets and a medium-sized pack of shabu, 10 empty plastic packs, five disposable lighters, two pairs of scissors, an aluminum tin foil tooter, including an improvised metal clip, and a mobile unit.

Vaño said charges will be filed against the two suspects on Monday following the inventory at the PNP Crime laboratory on the seized items.

Police said the suspects violated Sections 11 and 12, Article II of RA 9165 or “possession of dangerous drugs and possession of equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs.”

The operation was conducted under the CIDG’s flagship project on Oplan “Big Bertha” or campaign against illegal drugs. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)