"Drug pusher" nabbed in Medellin

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected drug pusher in Barangay Kawit, Medellin was arrested by the operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch during a buy-bust operation Sunday evening.

Antonio Moralde, 43, was caught in possession of a small pack of shabu and three P100 bills used in the buy-bust operation. Moralde’s alleged cohort, Tessie Alburo, was able to elude arrest during the operation.

Moralde, who is now temporarily detained at the Consolacion Police Station, alleged that the police purposely allowed Alburo to escape. Police Officer 2 Sheilo Quimat however denied the allegation.

Quimat said Moralde is a known drug pusher in Medellin but they have yet to check how big his operation is.

“Dili pa mi maka-determine kung unsa siya nga level sa pusher basta among nahibaw-an nga tunog gyud kaayo ni iyang ngalan ngadto,” Quimat said.

Quimat said Moralde’s arrest was a product of a tip given to them by a walk-in informant. He said they immediately conducted a surveillance operation to confirm the information.

After having confirmed the report, a buy-bust operation was hatched resulting to the suspect’s arrest. A criminal complaint for violation of section 5 of the R.A. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act will be filed today before the provincial prosecutor’s office.   - (THE FREEMAN)