8 men arrested in NBI buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines – Eight people including a minor were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation during a drug bust operation in barangay Sambag I yesterday afternoon.

Suspected bigtime drug pusher Rubico Sanchez, 35, was among those arrested. The others were his elder brother Allan, 38; Warren Narvasa, 23; Ronnie Campomanes, 33; Benlot Castro, 35; Melchor Tañeca, 26; Jerome Tañeca, 23, and a minor.

NBI operatives led by Special Investigator Arnel Pura conducted a buy-bust operation against Rubico at past 3 p.m. yesterday in sitio Atis, Sambag I.

Days earlier, the NBI placed Rubico under surveillance after receiving a tip from a complainant who said his son frequented the drug den. They were also able to test buy some drugs.

In yesterday’s buy-bust operation an undercover agent negotiated to buy three big packs of shabu, known as “bulto”, for P39,000. While the undercover agent was inside the drug den operatives were deployed around the area waiting for the transaction to happen.

As soon as the undercover agent gave the signal after almost two hours of negotiation, the rest of the operatives barged into the drug den and arrested all the suspects.

The NBI operatives recovered the P39,000 used as marked money and a medium sachet of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia from Rubico.

Another medium size of suspected shabu and six small sachets were also recovered from Melchor Tañeca’s possession.

Melchor admitted in an interview with reporters that he was forced to sell illegal drugs because of poverty. The other suspects also claimed that they only served as canvassers so they can have some free shabu.

The operation was witnessed by a barangay councilman, a representative from the Department of Justice and the members of the media in compliance with the provisions of the Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

The NBI is expected to file the criminal complaints today before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office against the suspects. – Fred P. Languido/BRP (THE FREEMAN)