“Level 3 drug pusher” arrested

CEBU, Philippines -  Over P100,000 worth of illegal drugs were confiscated from an alleged level 3 drug pusher in a buy-bust operation yesterday in Barangay Liburon, Carcar City.

Señor Inspector Henrix Bancoleta, leader of the team from the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group-7, said that Sarah Solon, the subject of the operation, used to be a sari-sari store vendor and baker of cupcakes but later on peddled illegal drugs for higher source of income.

Solon was apprehended at 8:45 a.m. inside her house along with her live-in partner, Ramil Geonzob, who was reportedly her cohort in the drug business.

They were arrested after receiving the P500 marked money from a police poseur-buyer in exchange of  the five-gram, medium-sized transparent plastic pack containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu.

Recovered from the suspects were five medium-sized packs of suspected shabu worth P20,000 each, four small-sized packs of suspected shabu sold at P200 each, and P500 in different denominations believed to be proceeds from the illegal drug trade. The drugs were estimated to have a street value of  P100,800.

Bancoleta said that Geonzon sells the smaller packs while Solon deals with huge orders.

He said that they have placed the suspects under surveillance for two weeks after receiving information about their illegal activities.

Bancoleta said that the illegal drug business is rampant in the area and that their buyers come from nearby municipalities and cities.

In an interview with the media, Solon admitted to selling illegal drugs to be able to pay for her unsettled debts.

She said that only Geonzon was the one using drugs. Her live-in partner denied this though, saying that he was only tasked to dispose the drugs.

Solon said she has been selling drugs to her acquaintances for less than a year.

Bancoleta said that Solon gets her supplies of illegal drugs from "munti" boys and remits her earnings to them.

Both Solon and Geonzon will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 also known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.  (FREEMAN)