13 nabbed in anti-drug operations

CEBU, Philippines - At least 13 people were arrested during separate anti-drug operations conducted by the police over the weekend.

Members of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group of Danao City Police Station arrested seven people sniffing shabu in Barangay Sabang past 11 a.m. on Saturday.

The suspects were identified as Saturnino Lauro, 52; Lee Baton, 32; Eddegie Baton, 23; Jessie Ponce, 31; Gregorio Capoy Jr.; Glenn Almaden, 43; and Nelson Cal, 40.

The police operatives were conducting preventive patrol when they allegedly chanced upon the suspects sniffing drugs inside a hut. The police recovered two small packs of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia from Lauro and Capoy. The other suspects were also in possession of one small pack of shabu each.

They were brought to the police station and will be charged with  possession of drugs and paraphernalia.

In Compostela, six people were also arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Estaca Saturday dawn.

Suspected drug pusher Bernie Caballero, 37, was among those arrested by the police after he sold a pack of shabu to an undercover policeman. On the other hand, Arnold Lawas, 24; Apolinario Tapia, 35; Gretchen Mangubat, 29; Jay-o Olivar, 26; and Edmar Abarquez, 31, were caught sniffing shabu.

Inspector Romeo Caacoy, station chief, and his men conducted an operation against Caballero. During the operation the other suspects were inside Caballero’s house sniffing illegal drugs.

Caballero will be charged for violation of sections 5 and 11 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act while the rest will be charged with violation of sections 5 and 12.  (FREEMAN)