PDEA-7 arrests 2 drug dealers

CEBU, Philippines – Two suspected drug dealers were arrested after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 conducted a buy-bust operation yesterday around 1:30 p.m. in sitio Galaxy, barangay Tangke, Talisay City.

PDEA-7 spokesman Jessie Tabanao identified the arrested suspects as Epiphania Baguio, 40, and her accomplice Oldarico Paganan, 45.

Epiphania was under surveillance for about two weeks before she was arrested. 

Tabanao said that their poseur-buyer had P500 cash and asked to buy small packs of shabu from Paganan. This usually costs P200 each.

The poseur-buyer said he wanted three small packs and Paganan said they can go to the house of Baguio and settle the said price.

After the deal was sealed inside Baguio’s house the poseur-buyer signaled PDEA-7 agents who then rushed to arrest the suspects.

Confiscated from Paganan was P400 believed to be proceeds from the sales of shabu and 13 small shabu packs placed in the silver foil of a cigarette pack.

Baguio had with her the P500 marked money, P400 believed to be proceeds from the sales of shabu, five small packs of shabu inside a plastic container and the three small packs of shabu intended for the poseur-buyer.

Both Baguio and Paganan will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165.

Yesterday during the said buy bust operation of PDEA-7, Tabanao said that 10 new agents were with them, all graduates of the PDEA Academy “Masidlak” batch.

Special Enforcement Unit chief Reford Yap led the said operation. — Johanna T. Natavio/BRP (THE FREEMAN)