Police nab 2 ‘big-time’ pushers

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested two alleged big-time drug pushers in separate buy-bust operations by the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) and the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) in Cebu City Tuesday.

Dexter Caballero, drug courier, was arrested by operatives of the Regional Special Operation Group (RSOG), an RID operating arm, in M.J. Cuenco Ave., Barangay Hipodromo.

Authorities recovered from Caballero P1.6 million worth of illegal drugs, which were taken to the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 in Camp Sotero Cabahug, Cebu City for chemical analysis.

Supt. Rex Derilo, RID deputy chief, said that their sting operation on Caballero was supposed to be carried out on Christmas Day but it was moved to last Tuesday afternoon.

Derilo said that based on reports they received, Caballero's illegal drugs are sourced was from Ormoc City in Leyte and were brought to Cebu City to take advantage of the influx of visitors of the Sinulog celebration.

This was confirmed by Supt. Paul Labra II, RID chief, following their intelligence monitoring.

But, Caballero, a trisikad driver, said he was just asked by someone to deliver the suspected shabu to a buyer, who turned out to be an RSOG operative.

The police are now working to identify and arrest Caballero's financier.

Meanwhile, Alfredo Gegrimosa, Jr., 32, of Sitio Zapatera, Barangay Luz, was arrested in a CIB anti-drugs operation after he sold a pack of shabu to a police agent in a buy-bust operation.

When frisked, Gegrimosa yielded 49 small packs and four large pack of suspected shabu as well as P6,000 believed to be proceeds of his illegal drugs trade.

Gegrimosa is a brother of a certain Obet, whom CIG previously arrested allegedly also being a big-time drug pusher.

In the course of the operation, four persons identified as Lito Ventura, 36; Victory Paul Sanchez, 24; Alberto Villaflores, 42; and Edison Pamati-an, 40, were also handcuffed after they were caught having a pot session.

All arrested persons are currently detained and would be facing charges for violating the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.— /RHM (FREEMAN)