3 nabbed in anti-drug raid in Pinamungajan

CEBU, Philippines - Three people were arrested Sunday morning during an anti-drug operation in Barangay Tutay, Pinamungajan.

The suspects were identified as Jovany Papasin, 21; Joey Papasin, 28; and Warren Rezane, 24.

The arrest happened during the operation conducted by the members of Pinamungajan Police Station against suspected drug pusher Alexander “Xander” Papasin, who is allegedly among the top 10 drug personalities in the town.

Senior Inspector Al Pascual, Pinamungajan police chief, said Xander was the subject of the operation after a search warrant was issued against him by the court.

The police operatives led by Pascual served the search warrant at 4 a.m. on Sunday but Xander was able to elude arrest. Pascual said the subject was already held by Police Office 2 Jerame Navarro but was able to break free after he wrestled the policeman, sending both of them off a cliff.

Navarro suffered shoulder injury from the fall while the suspect was able to escape. The injured policeman was rushed to the PNP Regional Hospital in Camp Sotero Cabahug but was later transferred to a private hospital.

The police, however, recovered eight small packs of suspected shabu; digital weighing scale; drug sniffing paraphernalia; over P3,000 cash; caliber .45 pistol; and caliber .38 snubnose revolver from Alexander.

Three small packs and medium pack of suspected shabu, and drug paraphernalia were also recovered from each of Jovany and Joey, while five small packs of suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia were confiscated from Rezane.

Pascual said they applied for search warrant against Alexander after they were able to establish that he was selling drugs.

“Way mga trabaho ang mga suspek pero ang sulod sa balay kompleto ang gamit daghan sad og hayopan. Notado na kaayo diri,” Pascual said.

Alexander will be charged for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and violation of the Comprehensive Firearm and Ammunition Regulations Act. (FREEMAN)