P714T worth of drugs seized from two suspected pushers

CEBU, Philippines - At least P714,000 worth of illegal drugs were confiscated by police operatives from two alleged big-time pushers over the weekend.

Personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Branch conducted two separate buy-bust operations that resulted to the arrest of Lester Manloloyo of Sitio Luknay, Barangay South Poblacion, San Fernando on Saturday and of Allan Ligara of Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday.

The team led by PIB chief, Superintendent Rodolfo Albotra, confiscated from Manloloyo two medium plastic packs of shabu amounting P14,000; a caliber .45 Colt Commander pistol loaded with three ammunitions and a black-colored Yamaha Mio motorcycle with plate numbers 7LK579.

A day after, they also arrested Ligara in a buy-bust operation based on a tip given by Manloloyo.

Confiscated from Ligara were two big plastic packs containing shabu worth P700,000; a Honda Wave motorcycle with plate numbers IK4401; a cellular phone and a piece of paper placed inside a plastic container.

The illegal drugs were taken to the Philippine National Police crime laboratory at the Camp Sotero Cabahug for chemical analysis.

Chief Insp. Mark Gifter Sucalit, deputy of the PIB tagged Manloloyo as a level two drug pusher who could dispose P100,000 worth of illegal drugs per week.

Manloloyo was under surveillance for almost a month before the operation was carried out and he was arrested outside his apartment when he was about to hand over the drugs to a poseur buyer.

“Wala gyud mi ka buy-bust kay in a plane view iyang firearm so we arrested him for illegal possession,” Sucalit told The FREEMAN.

Manloloyo’s cooperation with the operatives led to the arrest of Ligara yesterday in his residence.

Ligara was allegedly the trusted cohort, Sucalit said, of the level one drug pusher in the entire Cebu City. The suspect could allegedly sell at least P350,000 worth of illegal drugs per week.

“We still have to verify the information before we pursue our leads,” Sucalit said.

Manloloyo will be facing charges for the violation of RA 9165 or illegal position of illegal drugs and RA 8294 or illegal possession of firearm while Ligara will be charged for violation of RA 9165 or possession of illegal drugs. —(FREEMAN)