3 nabbed for illegal drugs

CEBU, Philippines - Three people involved in illegal drugs were arrested by the police in separate incidents resulting in the seizure of 36 small packs of suspected shabu last Monday.

Jimmy Cruz, 40, was arrested in his house along El Filibusterismo Street, Barangay Ermita, Cebu City by virtue of a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 18 Judge Gilbert Moises for violation of Section 11, Article 2 of Republic Act 9165 also known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Most of the packs of suspected shabu were recovered from his possession and P1, 500 cash believed to be his proceeds.

Chief Insp. Noel Lomente of the Carbon Police Station said that Cruz was considered a level three drug pusher. The illegal drugs seized from him had a total estimated street value of P10,200.

Meanwhile, 33-year-old Ariel Balde, a resident of Barangay T. Padilla, Cebu City, was arrested with one small plastic pack of suspected shabu.

Balde is currently detained at Parian Police Station. At 6 p.m. on the same day, 34-year-old Niño Etcobanez, who lives in Doña Esperanza Village, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, was also caught using illegal drugs inside the comfort room of a supermarket along N. Bacalso Avenue, Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City.

 An open sachet of suspected shabu, a strip of tin foil, one improvised tooter, and two disposable lighters were recovered from Etcobanez.—  (FREEMAN)