'Big time' pushers arrested in bust

CEBU, Philippines – Two big time drug pushers were arrested in separate buy bust operations in Asturias and Cebu City last Wednesday.

Placed under arrest were Jeffrey Blanco and his cohort Joel Gadiana. Police said the two allegedly distribute about 25 grams of illegal drugs amounting to P150,000 every week.

The buy bust operations were conducted by a joint team of the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch and the Tuburan police after months of surveillance.

Blanco, a resident of Barangay Colonia, Tuburan, allegedly supplies illegal drugs to Tuburan, Asturias and other neighboring towns. He was nabbed on board a bus heading towards Tuburan as the vehicle was traversing Barangay Bago in Asturias.

Seized from him were three medium packs and 11 small packs of suspected shabu and the P500 buy bust money.

"Nisuway siya og likay dihang gipusasan pero dali nga nakaback-up ang ubang pulis ug PIDMB," said P/SInsp. Mark Gifter Sucalit of the Tuburan police.

After Blanco's arrest, the police immediately proceeded to Barangay Mambaling in Cebu city where Gadiana resides, as confessed by Blanco.

A second buy bust operation on Gadiana that yielded a big pack of suspected shabu. Gadiana reportedly tried to elude the arrest, but was unsuccessful.

The two suspects are facing charges for possession of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. (FREEMAN)