Alleged peddler, usher nabbed in Badian bust

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested a suspected drug pusher and a suspected illegal number game usher in a buy-bust operation past 5 p.m. Sunday in Sitio Mandag-om, Barangay Matutinao, Badian town.

Authorities nabbed alleged illegal drug peddler Romeo Divinagracia, 44, and alleged masiao usher Gerry Dueñas, 20. The operation was conducted at the house of Divinagracia.

According to Police Officer 1 Noel Caralla, desk officer of Badian Police Station, Duenas’ arrest was just incidental to that of Divinagracia.

He said during the operation, which was led by Inspector Daniel Tarucan, a poseur-buyer transacted with Divinagracia for a P500 worth of suspected shabu. After the suspect handed over the items to the buyer, he was immediately placed under arrest.

But while the police were handcuffing Divinagracia, they saw Dueñas nearby allegedly tallying Masiao numbers at a table, leading to his arrest.

During frisking, police found 11 small packs of suspected shabu placed inside a canister taken from the right pocket of Divinagracia’s pants. They confiscated another 20 small packs inside a plastic pack that was found inside the house.

The police also confiscated P3,640 cash from Divinagracia that they believed as proceeds of the suspect’s alleged illegal activities.

They then confiscated from Dueñas Masiao tally sheets, three tip sheets, stubs containing illegal number’s game combinations, and yellow pad containing number combinations and P653 cash.

The buy-bust operation was hatched after the police were tipped by the residents that Divinagracia is possibly engaged in the sale of illegal drugs.

Intelligence operatives of the station immediately conducted test-buys and then coordinated with Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency-7 for the buy-bust operation after confirming Divinagracia’s illegal trade.

The suspects were brought to the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office yesterday morning for the filing of the charges against them.

Divinagracia was charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 while Dueñas was charged with violation of the Anti-illegal Numbers Games. (FREEMAN)