Drug supply dwindles amid police operations

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebu City police official believes that the supply of illegal drugs in the city is dwindling due to the series of successful anti-drug operations resulting in the confiscation of several million pesos worth of shabu in the past days.

Superintendent Palaleo Addag, chief of the City Intelligence Branch, said the scarcity of drug supply is manifested by its high prices in the market. 

 “Pag mataas ‘yung presyo, mahina ang supply. Pagkamura na lang, ang dami niyan. So sa Cebu ngayon, masasabi ko na ang supply ay medyo mahirap,” said Addag.

The city government has lauded the police for Wednesday night’s successful anti-drug operation, in which more than P11 million worth of shabu was seized and suspected drug peddler Regie Palotes was arrested, in Barangay Mabolo.

Acting mayor Edgardo Labella stressed the importance of community involvement in the fight against illegal drugs.

“We have to recognize that the government cannot be successful in pursuing this one if not for the cooperation from the community… That is why we should involve the community and also the church,” Labella told reporters yesterday.

The acting mayor said he was happy for the success of the operation that resulted in the arrest of Palotes, 35, and the confiscation of at least P11.8 million worth of illegal drugs.

 “I am happy that it happened successfully (since) that was quite a big catch. I commend the CIB in general and all those involved in this successful operation,” Labella said.

He specially recognized the effort of former City Intelligence Branch chief, Superintendent Romeo Santander, who initially conducted surveillance operation against the suspect.

“There was an ongoing surveillance and I was aware of that as early as December when it was initiated and headed by former CIB Chief Santander,” he said.

Labella also acknowledged Addag, the newly-appointed CIB chief, for his effort to pursue the operation.

“I hope mas daghan pa nga operations ang mabuhat. We should have no nonsense fight against illegal drugs that is to mitigate or minimize this problem if not totally eradicate drug trade in the city,” he said.

Addag said they are now checking the background of Palotes because he was not on the list of suspected drug personalities. The police believe that there might be a new group involved in the illegal drug operation.

Addag said that part of the investigation is to check on the money remittances because they found several cash receipts in the suspect’s room. He said it could lead them to the suspect’s possible drug supplier.

“Baka kasama siya sa big time na grupo or may bagong syndicate or group dito sa Cebu City,” said Addag.

Palotes was tagged as level one drug pusher. He was arrested by the CIB operatives during a buy-bust operation at his rented house along Gil Tudtud Street in Mabolo after he sold illegal drugs worth P7,000 to an undercover policeman.

Palotes, however, denied that he is a drug pusher but admitted to being only a drug courier. (FREEMAN)