Seized drugs in Toledo ‘sourced from Manila’

CEBU, Philippines - The police believe that the three suspects involved in the recent seizure of P1.2 million worth of suspected shabu in Toledo City were sourcing their stock from someone from Manila.

Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac, Cebu Provincial Police Office director, said the recipient on the receipts from remittances they recovered from suspects Nestor Pagdalian, Alexis Velayo and Charlie Mandawe was from Metro Manila.

“Before the buy-bust, suspects were able to deposit P250,000 and in weekly basis, they could deposit around P300,000 to P500,000,” Gillamac said in a press conference, refusing to disclose the name of the financier pending further investigation.

Pagdalian was not in their watch list as he was allegedly a newbie in illegal drugs trade. Pagdalian’s cohorts were said to be armed all the time to protect themselves from robbers.

“Nagdaladala lang ni sila og armas for protection nila basin kuno ilugan sila og armas o drugas,” PIB chief Rodulfo Albotra said. Suspects could reportedly dispose 200 grams of shabu in a week.

PIB is now exerting effort to come up with a product generated watch list in coordination with the community so as to have a clear picture of personalities involved in illegal activities.

“Contribution na sa barangay and sa community gyud aron atong mahibaw-an kung si kinsa gyud ang mga personalities nga involved ani,” Albotra said.

Last Friday, almost P1.2 million worth of illegal drugs, assorted drug paraphernalia and firearms were seized by the PIB in a buy-bust operation in Luray II, Barangay Poblacion, Toledo City.

PIB confiscated four large, three medium and 21 small packets of shabu, drug paraphernalia, .22 Smith and Wesson revolver with seven bullets and a .38 snub nose revolver with five bullets.

The evidence are now in the custody of the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory-7 for chemical analysis and ballistics examination, respectively. (FREEMAN)