SRU arrests man with marijuana in Balamban

CEBU, Philippines - Half a kilo of dried marijuana plants were confiscated from a 37-year-old man who was arrested by the Special Reaction Unit assigned at Sitio Enad, Barangay Gaas, Balamban on Wednesday evening.

The illegal drugs worth P2,000 was inside a plastic bag and placed inside the red backpack of Jude Uy Poliquit, a native of Baybay, Leyte and temporarily residing in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City .

The confiscated dried marijuana is now with the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory at the Camp Sotero Cabahug for chemical analysis.

Senior Police Officer 3 Arvie Banate, Balamban police investigator, said that Jude was already under surveillance after their office received information of his illegal activity.

Prior to his arrest, the SRU spotted Jude acting suspicious at the house of Cresenciano Bacus which prompted them to approach him.

After asking questions, the SRU then asked if they could inspect his backpack to which the suspect agreed. They then discovered the plastic bag containing the dried marijuana plants.

Jude admitted that he bought the marijuana from Bobby Baricuatro, of Sitio Calubian, Barangay Manunggal.

He was also planning to take the illegal drugs to Leyte .

Banate said that Jude admitted buying about two kilos of dried marijuana plants worth P8, 000 and half a kilo of it was for his own consumption.

“Pero ako dili ko mutoo nga iyahon na kay sa kadaghan dili na niya mahurot uy, iyaha pud nang i-dispose tingale sa uban,” he said.

Charges for violation of RA 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 is set to be filed today at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office after the results of the chemical analysis will be released. (FREEMAN)