Alleged pusher yields P1.3M shabu

CEBU, Philippines - Around P1.3 million worth of suspected drugs was confiscated from an alleged big-time drug pusher at Sitio Buli, Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City, early morning yesterday.

Emelyn Dingal, 49, was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by the operatives of the Cebu City Police Office City Intelligence Branch and elements of the Mambaling Police Station around 1 a.m. yesterday.

Dingal was apprehended after handing a pack of suspected shabu to a police decoy in exchange for P2,000.

The authorities would later seize three large packs of suspected shabu, three medium-sized packs of suspected shabu, 30 small packs of suspected shabu, a digital weighing scale, and P23,000 in suspected drug money from the house of Dingal.

Superintendent Romeo Santander, CIB chief, said that Dingal can sell up to almost a kilo of illegal drugs every week.

She was placed under surveillance for almost two weeks after they have received information she sold drugs in the area.

Santander said they were even surprised to see suspected shabu still in large packs when they went to her house.

“Nakurat mi pag tan-aw namo sa drugs kay tibugol pa kaayo wala pa nadugmok, murag bag-o pa naabot niya nga supply,” he said. Santander added they have yet to identify Dingal’s source of illegal drugs.

Dingal admitted that she has been selling drugs for almost a year now and even took light of the situation.

“Kalooy sa Ginoo karon pa ko nadakpan. Wala ko kabantay nga pulis na diay to mipalit nako,” she said.

She also confessed that she only resorted to the drug trade out of poverty. She said she had to finance the studies of her child who is already in college since her husband only works as a motorcycle-for-hire driver and earns meager pay.

“Kapit sa patalim. Ana ra man gyud ‘nang panahon, practical. Unya miabot naman ang panahon nga madakpan ta,” she said, adding that her husband was even aware of her illegal activities.

As to her source, she said they send random people to give her the supply.

“Igo ra man nila ihulog sa akoa. Bisan kinsa ra man ang mohatod,” she said. Dingal, however, insisted that she does not use illegal drugs.

She is currently detained at the CCPO lock-up cell.

During the operation, the CIB operatives also confiscated a video karera machine and three moli-moli slot machines that were abandoned in a make-shift house near Dingal’s residence.  Santander said that they were alerted to the gambling machines after neighbors of the suspect ran away when they arrived.

MORE DRUGS

Meanwhile, 12 ampoules of nubain and 15 small packs of suspected shabu were seized during the implementation of a search warrant in Oprra, Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City, Saturday evening.

The elements of Guadalupe Police Station, serving a search warrant issued by Judge Gilbert Moises of Regional Trial Court Branch 18, also confiscated assorted drug paraphernalia, and P1,595 cash believed to be drug money.

The subject of the warrant Lordnoe Vargas, 28, was arrested. Also arrested were his brother Anthony Vargas, 37; Michael Alesna, 22; Remy John Enarlan, 25; Ruzz Lord Espinoza, 29; and Marlon Mulig, 39, for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Senior Inspector Allan Rosario, chief of Guadalupe Police Station, said Vargas was put under surveillance for more than two weeks after they received information the suspect sold illegal drugs.

Vargas allegedly tried to escape even as he had been handcuffed. This led to a brief chase where Vargas and a policeman sustained minor injuries. All suspects are now detained at the Guadalupe Police Station.

In another incident that same evening, the CIB operatives apprehended four suspects at Sitio Manggahan, Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City, for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Those arrested were identified as Claire Ann Lim, 40, Jovelyn Montes, 24, Lutgardo Molina, 30, and Romeo Atillo, 42. The police recovered assorted disposable lighters, strips of tinfoil, and paper wicks from the possession of the suspects. They will face charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — /BRP (FREEMAN)