3 suspected drug pushers fall in buy-bust operations

CEBU, Philippines - Three suspected drug pushers were arrested in separate buy-bust operations conducted by police operatives in Cebu City and Cebu Province.

Loreilyn “Lori” Daro, 43, and her live-in partner Michael “Mike” Villanueva, 44, were arrested last Saturday evening in Barangay San Nicolas by the operatives of the Cebu City Intelligence Branch and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

In another buy-bust operation conducted by the Provincial Intelligence Branch in Tabogon town last Sunday, suspected big time drug pusher Reynaldo Batad Arcenal, 40, of A. Lopez Cebu City was also arrested.

City Intelligence Branch operatives conducted a buy-bust operation against Dearo and Villanueve after receiving a tip of their alleged illegal activities.

CIB chief Romeo Santander said that the suspects have long been in their watch list for alleged drug peddling in San Nicolas for several years now.

 Santander said one of his men went undercover to buy a pack of shabu worth P200 from Daro. After receiving the marked-money, Daro was immediately placed under arrest.

Her live-in partner, Villanueva, who was standing from a distance, tried to intervene resulting to his arrest. The police recovered 21 packs of shabu and a Caliber .357 revolver from Villanueva’s possession when frisked.

In an interview, Daro and Villanueva both admitted to The FREEMAN that they are involved in the illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, Arcenal was arrested Sunday evening in Barangay Poblacion, Tabogon during a follow-up operation after he eluded arrest in a previous buy-bust operation in Barangay Hagnaya, San Remigio.

Arcenal sold a pack of shabu to an undercover policeman but was able to escape from the dragnet. However, the pursuing operatives eventually arrested him in Tabogon after he reported to the police station to complain an alleged shooting incident.

PIB deputy chief Mark Gifter Sucalit said they failed to immediately arrest Arcenal during the transaction because he was able to notice the presence of the law enforcers.

Sucalit said Arcenal went to Tabogon police station to complain that he was being shot at by police operatives in San Remigio.

“Alleged niya gipusil namo siya maong nagpa-blotter pero wala gyud kapabuto ang operatiba bisan kausa,” Sucalit said.

      The police operatives found one large pack of shabu estimated to worth between P15,000 to P20,000 and several drug paraphernalia from the suspect’s car.  (FREEMAN)