Cops net drugs, nab 4 in Pit-os operation

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected level two drug pusher and three others were arrested by Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Task Group operatives yesterday morning in Sitio Tabok, Barangay Pit-os, Cebu City resulting to the confiscation of close to P300,000 worth of drugs and paraphernalia.

Dante Gerona, 27, a suspected drug den operator, was arrested by RAIDSOTG operatives after he allegedly sold a pack of suspected shabu to a police poseur buyer yesterday.

John Steven Villarta, 22; Harry Gerona, 29 and Joey Pepito, 36, of Sitio Tabok, Barangay Pit-os, were also arrested for possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.

However, Jefferson Capalaran eluded arrest when he allgedly sensed police’s arrival.

In an interview, Inspector Joey Bicoy, RAIDSOTG police community relations officer, said  Dante Gerona sold a pack of suspected shabu to a police poseur buyer that resulted to the arrest of the suspect and the three others.

During the operation, police recovered a small sachet of suspected shabu from the subject of the buy-bust and another 44 medium packs of suspected shabu and several drug paraphernalia.

The confiscated drugs were said to be worth around P295,000 based on the Dangerous Drugs Board estimate but the price could go up once sold in the market.

Bicoy said they received information from the suspect’s neighbors who reported the suspect’s illegal activity.

He said after receiving the information, they immediately placed the suspect under surveillance.

When the information was verified, they then conducted the buy-bust operation.

Bicoy said Dante Gerona and Villarta were repacking suspected shabu while police operatives confiscated from the other two suspects several drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Bicoy said the suspect’s illegal drug operation reaches up to the mountain barangays in the city and even the neighboring cities of Talisay and Mandaue.

He added that the suspect is also considered a drug den operator since his operation includes selling drugs and offering “kubol-kubol” or small shanty where his clients could stay while using drugs.

“Ang iyang kubol-kubol naa sa taas nga bahin, gitaptapan lang ni og trapal along the road ra ni (His hut-for-hire is perched along the road),” he said.

Dante Gerona said he is no longer selling drugs and told reporters he is not operating a drug den.

The other three suspects said they have nothing to do with the raid and were just nabbed by the police when the raid happened. — (FREEMAN)