Man arrested in drug bust

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested a man with at least 56 small plastic packs of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation at A. Lopez Street, Barangay Calamba, Cebu City Thursday evening.

Joseph Marlon Hermosa, 21, was apprehended by the operatives of the City Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Hermosa was immediately arrested after receiving the P200 marked money from a police poseur-buyer in exchange for a small plastic pack of shabu.

The police also confiscated a small metal box and P800 from Hermosa believed to be proceeds of his illegal activities.  CAIDSOTG chief Senior Inspector Eunil Avergonzado said they received information that Hermosa is engaged in illegal drugs.

Avergonzado said that after the operation, several people tried to rescue the suspect while the police mark the pieces of evidence in the area.

This prompted the police team decided to pull out and proceed to San Nicolas Police Station.

Hermosa will face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

The items recovered from the suspect were brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory for chemical analysis. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/NSA (FREEMAN)