Almost P180T drugs seized in Liloan town

CEBU, Philippines - At least P177,000 worth of drugs were confiscated from a suspected drug pusher past 3 p.m. on Saturday at Sitio San Antonio, Barangay Jubay, Liloan town.

Lourence John Malazarte, was arrested when police implemented a search warrant while Romeo Bargamento, the owner of the house where the illegal drug trade allegedly takes place, was not present when the warrant was served.

Senior Inspector Ramil Morpos, Liloan Police Station chief, said that Malazarte was about to go out from the house, either to pick-up or deliver drugs, when the police arrived. Malazarte reportedly lives in Bargamento's house.

The search warrant was applied for the house of Bargamento, who just started to sell drugs, based on their surveillance operations.

Morpos said they told Malazarte to stay inside the house as they implement the search warrant.

"Wala siya kasukol, kay na-surprise na siya, timing nga padulong siya sa gawas kay magkuha or mag-deliver og  shabu," Morpos said.

The police confiscated two big packs, 13 medium packs, and a small pack of suspected shabu; a .357 caliber revolver loaded with three live ammunitions, drug paraphernalia, and P1,840 cash from Malazarte.

The confiscated drugs weighed 15 grams worth P177,000, based on the Dangerous Drugs Board estimates.

Morpos said that Malazarte is among the two suspects who robbed a delivery van in Catmon town sometime in 2013. He is reportedly out from jail after posting bail.

He was also previously arrested for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Morpos considers the suspect as a level three drug pusher who can dispose 100 grams of shabu every week.

"Si Bargamento bag-o pa lang, si Malazarte level 3 ni siya, ubay-ubay gyud ang nakuha," he added.

Morpos said that the confiscated gun will be subjected to laboratory examination to check if it has been used in previous shooting incidents in the province.

Morpos added that they are now back-tracking the robbery incidents in Liloan to see if Malazarte's profile matches any of the perpetrators.

Malazarte is now detained at  the Liloan Police Station and will be charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.  (FREEMAN)