Drugs worth at least P106M seized in first half of year

CEBU, Philippines - Police have confis-cated illegal drugs worth at least P106 million during its operations in Central Visayas in the first half of the year.

Data presented during the "Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis" showed cops in the region conducted 1,500 anti-illegal drugs operations from January to May during which they arrested 1,625 people. They seized a total of a kilo of shabu from these operations.

Last year, the value of the total volume of shabu seized from 1,145 operations amounted to at least P95 million. 

Police Region Office-7 Director, Chief Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, said their ultimate goal is to round up the sources of the substance to curtail supply. Educating the public further on the ill-effects of drug use is also a step to curtailing demand. 

Strengthening education is more important considering that a pack of shabu is reportedly being sold at only P60 these days, said Supt. Rex Derilo, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division.

The report is being validated but Derilo said it is possible that pushers are disposing of their supplies fast in an attempt to avoid arrest.

Police recently hit a jackpot when a raid in Banacon Island in Bohol resulted in the death of suspected drug lord Rowen Secretaria alias Yawa.

Comendador said Banacon is a strategic area for drug smugglers and was even reported as a transshipment and drop-off area for drugs coming from Luzon.

Lapu-Lapu

In Lapu-Lapu City, authorities arrested three men for selling shabu in Barangay Calawisan last Friday night.

Police Senior Insp. Jaime Tolentino, chief of the Gun-ob Police, said they first arrested a certain Chareen Tirando, 24, a resident of the area, during the bust. This led to the arrest of Tirando's neighbors, Rolando Berame, 26, and Rolando Bensi, 31.

Tolentino said they seized 104 small sachets and a medium pack of shabu from Berame, the main  subject of the buy-bust. Berame has reportedly been operating for a month.

"Gikan ang info sa usa ka concerned citizen… amoa dayung gi-surveillance ug nag-conduct mi og test-buy, positive (ang pagmaligya)," Tolentino said.

The drugs seized from Berame has an estimated value of P105,000.

A .38 caliber loaded with four live ammunition rounds were also confiscated from Berame while drug paraphernalia were seized from Bensi.

"Basi sa among imbes-tigasyon nila, ilaha gipangbaligya dayun ang mga shabu kay nangahadlok silang Duterte. Before daw mag July, undang na sila og pamaligya og shabu," Tolentino said.

The three suspects are detained at the Gun-ob Police Station and are facing charges for drugs and illegal possession of firearms.  (FREEMAN)