Man arrested in buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines - A man was arrested for allegedly selling drugs to a police agent during a buy-bust operation yesterday by elements of the City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task group in Sitio Dita, Barangay Pulangbato, Cebu City.

Elmer Legaspi, 36, of Sitio Aroma, of the said barangay, was arrested after reportedly selling drugs to a police agent at around 10:45 a.m.

Sr. Insp. Eunil Avergonzado, CAIDSOT chief, said their asset managed to arrange to buy a small sachet of suspected shabu worth P300 from Legaspi.

He said they waited for hours before Legaspi arrived with his merchandise near a sari-sari store.

After the suspect handed over the drugs to the police agent, covert operatives immediately closed in to arrest him. He still had the P300 marked money and a sachet of suspected shabu. 

The police also seized two other sachets of suspected shabu worth P600 and another medium pack worth P12,000 from Legaspi. 

Legaspi has been under surveillance for over a month now following reports of his illegal drug activities in the area, Avergonzado said.

Despite Legaspi’s arrest, the police still believe that illegal drug operations in the area will continue until the suspect’s employer, a certain “Fernando”, will be arrested.

Legaspi denied ownership of the suspected drugs seized from his possession.

He said he just dropped by at the sari-sari for refreshments while on his way to an uncle’s house when the police suddenly arrested him.

“They (the police) suddenly arrived and forcibly stashed drugs in my pockets and arrested me. I was only on my way to San Fernando for work,” he said in Cebuano. 

Despite his claims, Avergonzado said the suspect is a drug pusher who is very active in the said barangay.

The suspect is currently detained at Cebu City Police Office stockade while charges for violating provision of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs act of 2002 are being prepared against him.  (FREEMAN)