Another Bohol-bound man arrested for drugs

CEBU, Philippines - Port police arrested another man who was bound for Bohol with suspected shabu worth around P100,000.

Feliciano Ampong Jr., 33, was arrested yesterday morning, exactly two weeks after police arrested Lean Criston Artiaga after he was found with 500 grams of suspected shabu worth at least P6 million.

Artiaga was supposed to take a ferry to Talibon, Bohol on December 12 when authorities got suspicious because he refused to turn the paper bag he was bringing for inspection.

Yesterday, police intercepted Ampong at the frisking area. The plastic bag containing two medium packs of shabu was found inside his right pocket.

“Pagtan-aw sa sud sa plastic mura man gi-wrap og packaging tape di nato makita unsay sud so among gipa-advise ipaagi sa X-ray machine,” said Senior Inspector Alvin Merenillo.

Ampong, a native of Barangay Poblacion II, Tagbilaran, Bohol, alleged that the plastic bag was only handed to him by his former co-worker who requested him to bring it to the latter’s mother in Tagbilaran City. What he reportedly knew was that the bag contained medicine.

 “Gikan ko sa clinic. Timing gipapadala niya kay tambal kuno sa iyang mama nya di siya mouli ngadto. Gihatag ra niya diretso, ako ra pud gidawat. Gisud nako sa bulsa,” he said.

“Wa ra man pud ko ga-mind. Pag-frisking, niingon ang guard iyang tan-awon, ako ra pud gipatan-aw. Ako gikuot sa akong bulsa unya gihatag niya,” he added.

 He, however, refused to name his friend, admitted having used illegal drugs, but denied selling it.

Meanwhile, four other men were also arrested for drug-related infractions during two separate operations on Christmas eve. 

Police confiscated four medium-sized packs and 11 small sachets of suspected shabu at the house of Eliseo Famador Jr. in Barangay Kasambagan by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Soliver Peras of the Regional Trial Court Branch 10.

Famador was able to escape but two others identified as Eliezer Famador and Edward Basubas were arrested for illegal possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Police recovered two small packs of suspected shabu from Eliezer and drug paraphernalia from Basubas.

 Afternoon on the same day, Elizado Agodon, 39, and Manuel Abellanosa, 27, were arrested during a patrol along F. Gochan Street, Barangay Mabolo.  Two small packs of suspected shabu were confiscated from the two suspects. —  (FREEMAN)