Minor arrested in drug buy-bust

CEBU, Philippines - Two persons including a minor were arrested by the Cebu City Intelligence Branch during a buy-bust operation yesterday morning in Sitio Ibabao, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City.

CIB operatives seized 13 small packs of shabu worth P5,000 from Oliver “Randy” Vilvestre, 44. His 16-year-old cohort was also arrested because the marked money used in the buy-bust operation was recovered in his possession.

The confiscated illegal drugs were taken to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 for chemical analysis.

Aside from the illegal drugs, police operatives also recovered from Vilvestre a Caliber .38 revolver loaded with five rounds of ammunition. The operation stemmed from a report received by the CIB about the suspects’ illegal drug business.

The police conducted a three-day surveillance operation against the suspects before the dragnet at 2:00 a.m. yesterday

Vilvestre reportedly handed one small pack of shabu to an undercover policeman in exchanged for P200. The minor served as Vilvestre’s cashier.

The police classified Vilvestre as street vendor who could dispose at least P25,000 worth of shabu every week.

CIB chief Romeo Santander said that criminal complaints for violation of sections 5 and 11 of RA 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 as well as RA 8294 or illegal possession of firearm will be filed against Vilvestre.

A separate case for violation for Section 5 of RA 9165 will be filed against the 16-year-old. (FREEMAN)