Nubain supplier falls in buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines - Another Nubain supplier from Minglanilla was arrested by the police during a buy-bust operation resulting in the confiscation of P300,000 worth of dangerous drugs.

Giovanny Baya, 26, of Deca Homes Subdivision in Barangay Tungkil was arrested Wednesday afternoon after selling 40 boxes of Nubain worth P60,000 to a police decoy.

Baya is said to have replaced “Nubain Queen” Leonarda Lim who was arrested in October also during a buy-bust operation in Talisay City.

Chief Inspector George Ylanan led the operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division-7 in the operation after having able to arrange a transaction with him. Aside from the 40 boxes that were subject of the buy-bust operation, the police also confiscated 60 more boxes and 30 plastic packs from the suspect.

Ylanan said Baya took over the operation of Lim since the latter’s arrest. He is said to have gotten his supply from Manila.

Based on the investigation, Baya is supplying Nubain in Kamagayan, Dita, Pulangbato, and Talamban in Cebu City. He can allegedly dispose at least 1,000 ampules in two days.

Baya was charged for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of the Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

He was the second supplier of Nubain from Minglanilla to be arrested in less than a month. The police arrested Lim in October 22 at the parking lot of a mall in Tabunok. Lim’s arrest was considered to be the biggest haul of Nubain in Cebu this year having in possession an estimated P1.8 million worth of illegal drugs.  (FREEMAN)