‘Drug queen’ falls in shabu operation

CEBU, Philippines - A combined 164 packets of shabu amounting to P40,000 were seized in separate operations in Cebu City and province Thursday.

In its operation, the City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group also arrested an alleged drug queen in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City past 4:00 p.m. on the same day.

Fedaly Mapalo, 45, was immediately taken to the Punta Princesa Police Station. Police seized 164 pieces of shabu worth P30,000; P2,000 cash believed to be proceeds of the trade; and the P200 marked money.

Senior Inspector Eunil Avergonzado, CAIDSOTG chief, said Mapalo was arrested when she received the marked money from the poseur buyer during the buy-bust operation.

Mapalo denied the allegation, though she was identified in a series of surveillance conducted by the police.

“Grabiha sad nila, kadaghan ana,” Mapalo said.

Avergonzado said denying is a “normal reaction” of suspects to disown evidences and involvement.

He added that Mapalo was a level two drug pusher who can dispose of more than 200 grams of shabu in a week. She is now detained at the Cebu City Police stockade.

The shabu recovered has been turned over to the PNP Crime Laboratory for chemical analysis.

Three hours later in Badian town, members of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group arrested Armando Divinagracia, 49, also through a buy-bust operation.

He was arrested at his house when he received the P250 marked money in exchange of a packet of shabu. Authorities also confiscated other items, including two large packets of shabu, a digital weighing scale, two pairs of scissors, forceps, and other drug paraphernalia.

Divinagracia’s cohort, Ranulfo Capacio eluded the arrest.

Divinagracia is reportedly a level two drug pusher who was placed under surveillance following reports of his illegal activities. Operatives confirmed the reports and the test buy operation was hatched.

Divinagracia is now detained at the Consolacion police stockade. The shabu confiscated from him have been forwarded to the PNP crime laboratory for chemical analysis.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the suspects. —/JMO (FREEMAN)