Police nab 5 men, seize shabu, guns in buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines - Five alleged big-time drug pushers were arrested by police in a buy-bust operation in barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City yesterday afternoon that yielded.

Seized from the suspects were P280,000 worth of suspected shabu, four high-powered firearms and a car.

Two of the suspects, believed to be part of a drug syndicate operating in Cebu City and neighboring cities, were identified as Noel Caballero Diaz alias Nimzu, 35, and his brother, Reynaldo alias Jumbo, 31. Both are residents of the place.

The three others were identified as Roland Eslabon Espinosa alias Kervin, 30, of barangay Hipodromo, Ronnie Tomada Pocson, 38, of Ormoc City, Leyte, and Cipriano Armecin Diano, 36, of Albuera, Leyte.

Seven big packs of suspected shabu weighing 35 grams, four .45 caliber pistols, and 35 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from their possession.

A black Toyota Hi-lux owned by Alice Jean Catingub of Ormoc City that was used by the suspects was also seized as is now impounded at the CCPO.

Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, director of Cebu City Police Office, said they received information that the group’s leader is Jaguar Diaz, brother of the two suspects, an alleged drug lord now detained at the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.

He allegedly continues to operate from the jail through his subordinates.

Comendador said they will confirm the report that Pocson and Diano are currently bodyguards of a politician in the Visayas (not in Cebu).

Operatives of the CCPO’s Investigation and Detective Management Branch and City Intelligence Branch conducted the operation past 12 p.m. yesterday at Spolarium Street. Noel was the one who allegedly transacted with the police for the sale of a pack of shabu.

Two of the suspects acted as back-up while two others were inside the vehicle.

When the arrest was announced, they attempted to fire at the police, but were not able to do so as they were already surrounded.

During frisking, three packs were recovered from Espinosa, two from Reynaldo, and another one was found in the car’s glove compartment.

Comendador said the bust was conducted after two weeks of surveillance on the suspects.

   An informant, he said, tipped them about the illegal activity of the suspects who are all have records of being prominent drug pushers.

The CCPO Director said they will also determine if the suspects are engaged in narco-politics.

He said the illegal drug distribution in the city will temporarily be neutralized with the arrest of the suspects. — Niña G. Sumacot/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)