Siblings arrested for possession of illegal drugs, several firearms

CEBU, Philippines - Illegal drugs worth P50,000 and assorted firearms were seized by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 in an operation yesterday morning in Barangay Poblacion 1, Carcar City.

Elements of PDEA-7 arrested siblings Jay and Joan Camotes and Samuel Barcelonia at their respective residences after serving search warrants for illegal drugs signed by Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras.

Seized from Jay were two medium packets of shabu, a .45 pistol loaded with bullets, a 9mm pistol with bullets, a 12 gauge shotgun with bullets, assorted bullets, drug paraphernalia, $20 and P30,840 believed to be proceeds from illegal drug trade. 

Also seized from Joan was a .38 revolver with bullets.

Mauro Licen, spokesperson of PDEA-7, told The FREEMAN that the suspects were seized in separate operations.

“Duha ka teams gadungan og serve sa warrant,” Licen said in a phone interview.

Barcelonia, Jay’s alleged lookout, was about to pull out a firearm from his waist but was overpowered by the agents. Recovered from him were a .45 pistol and a KG9 sub-machine pistol loaded with bullets.

“Mubunot kuno unta na siya unya naunhan man naigo pa gani iyang eyebrow sa bungbong naay cut,” Licen said.

Jay then surrendered while the other team also arrested Joan in her house adjacent to Jay’s residence.

Licen disclosed that Jay was arrested by the Philippine National Police a month ago due to the same case but was able to post bail.

“High-valued target ni siya sa PDEA while si Joan first time arrest,” he said.

The suspects are now under the custody of the PDEA-7 pending the filing of charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Act. — (FREEMAN)