Mine foreman arrested for drugs

CEBU, Philippines - A foreman working at a mining company in Barangay DAS, Toledo City, was arrested for allegedly selling shabu during a buy-bust operation Friday night.

Elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 arrested Erlie Erik Cantalejo, 42, a resident of Barangay DAS, who has allegedly been selling shabu to his co-workers for months now.

PDEA-7 spokesman Jessie Tabanao said they received information from a reliable source at the mining company four months ago that the suspect is selling shabu. Acting on the report, Tabanao said they coordinated with the company’s management and has since tried to conduct two transactions with the suspect.

“But puro fail kay di mi magkaabot or lain iyang pahatagon. Gabii pa g’yud siya nasakpan namo,” Tabanao said yesterday.

Tabanao said the management has claimed that they have also received reports about the suspect selling shabu to their employees.

“Pero wala g’yud nila ma-prove kay dako man gud kaayo ang minahan. Tungod sa kadako, ang mga employees diha pwede ra bisan asa mugamit sa drugs,” said Tabanao.

So when PDEA-7 was tipped of the suspect’s illegal activities, Tabanao said they went to the area and the management coordinated with them.

Prior to the arrest, Tabanao said they sealed a transaction with the suspect.

PDEA-7 pretended to buy a pack of shabu worth P500 from the suspect.

Tabanao said a female agent acted as the poseur-buyer with the aid of an employee of the company. Both of them acted as lovers and bought shabu from the suspect at 8 p.m. near the company’s gate.

As soon as the suspect handed over the suspected shabu placed inside a plastic pack, the poseur-buyers made a signal and operatives led by PDEA agent Ferdinand Kintanar arrested the suspect.

The suspect resisted arrest but was quickly subdued, police found another plastic sachet of suspected shabu on him after they searched him.

A charge for violation of Section 5 and 11 of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act will be filed against the suspect who is now detained at the PDEA-7 stockade.  (FREEMAN)