Drug raid nets 4 “users” in Pit-os

CEBU, Philippines - A drug raid in Sitio Upper Tapoko, Barangay Pit-os, Cebu City led to the seizure of P150,000 worth of illegal drugs and arrest of suspected drug users yesterday afternoon.

City Intelligence Branch operatives found Nubain ampules and shabu and drug-sniffing paraphernalia inside the three houses believed to be used as a drug den that the police raided. The police also seized 26,608 cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal drug trade, with P5,000 of the money in P5 and P10 coins.

During the operation, Dante Ermac and Eugene Agbay, both from Sacsac, Consolacion town, jeepney driver Eddie Bontilao from Tigbao, Barangay Talamban, and  23-year-old John Vincent Gerona from Barangay Pit-os, were also arrested for allegedly having a drug session in one of the three houses.

The drug raid was conducted by virtue of three search warrants issued by Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Soliver Peras for  violation of Section 11, Article 2 of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act).

The subjects of the search warrants were couple Michael and Aidel Uy; Lina Codilla and his son, Onel; and Paul Anthony Gerona, reportedly the cousin of John Vincent.

Superintendent Romeo Santander, CIB chief, said they have received complaints regarding the activities inside the three houses, prompting his office to conduct surveillance for almost a month.

Not one of the subjects of the warrants, however, was caught as they all managed to escape since the back portion of the three houses had several exits.

“Plus kusog pa gyud ang uwan atong orasa unya tungasonon gyud ang lugar. Ang kato atong mga nadakpan gani kay nangasamad pa kay nagginukoray na man,” Santander said.

He said the houses were located 25 meters up a hill and that some of the illegal drugs were found inside stuffed toys.

“Naa’y stuffed toys nga maski wa’y zipper gibutangan og zipper. Among assessment nga mao to’y dalhon nila kintahay kon mangompra ilang isulod didto aron mura ra og wala. Mahulog nga camouflage nila ang stuffed toys,” Santander said.  (FREEMAN)