PDEA seizes P250T shabu, arrests ‘pusher’

CEBU, Philippines - Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 seized several packs of shabu estimated to worth P250,000 from a 24-year-old suspected drug pusher in Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City.Suspect Gerald Joy “Insik” Baguio was arrested in a buy bust operation early morning yesterday.

Police seized several packs of shabu that weighed more than 50 grams.

 Also recovered were the P3,000 buy bust money, deposit slips for transactions that totaled P3 million and assorted drug paraphernalia.

The packs of shabu were taken to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory 7 for chemical analysis.

Jessie Tabanao, PDEA-7 spokesperson, disclosed that Baguio was under surveillance for more than a month.

At 3 a.m. yesterday, PDEA-7 operatives led by Director Jigger Montallana conducted a buy bust operation.

PDEA conducted an operation against Baguio five months ago but he eluded arrest.

They admitted they had difficulty in arresting Baguio because he only transacts with people that he knows.           

Using an asset who is Baguio’s friend, operatives were able to transact with him in Barangay Bulacao.

Using P3,000 marked money, Baguio allegedly handed to the decoy a medium pack of shabu that resulted in his arrest.

Tabanao said Baguio has been in the illegal drugs trade for five months and could dispose a kilo of shabu worth about five million weekly.

His supply reportedly comes from Manila and his father, Benjie Baguio, who is currently detained in the New Bilibid Prison for murder is his contact.

Tabanao also revealed that Baguio is operating in four areas in northern Cebu and also four other areas in southern Cebu.“Daghan man ni siya og bata sa lugar nga maoy muhatod sa usa ka bulto ngadto sa south ug sa norte,” he said.

In a separate interview, Baguio admitted that he owns the shabu seized by the police.

He also admitted that his father was the one who referred him to a supplier in Manila.

“Gikan sa Manila unya ngari ra nako gikuha sa Cebu gipadala,” he said.

Charges for violations of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against Baguio. — (FREEMAN)