Suspect yields P11.8M drugs

CEBU, Philippines - The sixth most wanted person in Central Visayas was arrested by personnel of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group-7 and Bohol Provincial Police Office yesterday morning, along with several firearms and P11.8 million worth of shabu.

Dominador Hera, alias “Jun Daot”, 47, was arrested by RAIDSOT and Bohol policemen shortly before noon yesterday in Barangay West Cabul-an, Buenavista town in Bohol.

Recovered from the suspect was a pack of shabu believed to weigh at least half a kilo, five big packs of shabu, a big pack of crushed shabu and two medium packs of shabu, all estimated at P11,830,000.

A Garand rifle, an assault rifle, a .357 revolver, a 9mm pistol and various ammunition were also recovered from his house. 

In a press conference Police Regional Office-7 Director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas congratulated his men for their biggest drug arrest so far.

“Since we started our operation, this is the biggest (catch) so far,” Bañas said.

RAIDSOTG chief Superintendent Marvin Sanchez said the suspect has a standing warrant of arrest for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 issued by Regional Trial Court Presiding Judge Macaundas Hadjirasul in 2012. 

An operative told The FREEMAN that the house of the suspect was located in an island. Before they sought him out they secured all possible exits to make sure he would not get away like he did during a buy-bust operation in 2011. 

The suspect was in his house when the policemen came. When he saw the policemen he allegedly grabbed a bag containing the shabu and tried to run. Hera’s companions scattered in different directions but the police concentrated on getting Hera. He surrendered peacefully after he was cornered.

During his presentation yesterday, Bañas asked him if he had kids. He started crying after replying his youngest was only 11 years old.

“Ba’t ka umiiyak? Iiyak ka per hindi mo naisip yung pamilya nga mga binebentahan mo,” Bañas said.

Hera was previously arrested for the same offence but was released five years ago. After his released he allegedly started to build up his network. He first operated in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, but later moved to Bohol.

His operation currently covers Bohol, Cordova, Mactan and towns in northern Cebu.

Bañas said that Hera is also involved illegal fishing operations and reports of harassment in Bohol. He said that they will trace the suspect’s possible ties to slain former policeman Owen Rosales.

Hera reportedly gets his drugs from Muntinlupa City. He now faces charges for violation of the Comprehensive dangerous Drugs Act and the Comprehensive law on Weapons and Ammunition.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)