Two ‘ex-cons’ yield P4 million shabu

CEBU, Philippines — Twelve people, including two ex-convicts and alleged big-time illegal drug traders in several northern Cebu towns, were arrested after National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives implemented search warrants in San Remigio, Cebu last Wednesday.

The NBI-Cebu District Office (CEBDO) said the two, who are allegedly also guns-for-hire and involved in robbery, also yielded packs of suspected shabu worth P4 million.

The NBI operation came following a surveillance and test buys on Leo Montealto and Ritchel Banga-Banga, who were released from jail just last year following a 13-year incarceration.

In a document provided to the media, the NBI said it applied for search warrants for possession of illegal drugs and of illegal possession of firearms against Montealto and Banga-Banga after confirming their illegal drug activities.

At 5 p.m. last Jan. 24, authorities swooped down on Montealto and Banga-Banga’s homes in Sitio Bungtod, Brgy. Calambua, San Remigio to implement the search warrants issued by Regional Trial Court-Branch 25 Judge Jerry Dicdican of Danao City.

The NBI said the two, armed with pistols, “attempted to fight” but surrendered after Banga-Banga suffered a graze wound to stomach.

Following the operation, authorities seized from the suspects 10 big packs of suspected shabu weighing around 500 grams, which has an estimated value of P4 million; digital weighing scales; drug paraphernalia such as glass tooters, pieces of tin foil, lighters, sealers; and a large volume of assorted empty plastic sachets that are used in the repacking of shabu.

They also recovered two .45 pistols, a shotgun, as well as ammunition from Montealto and Banga-Banga.

In the same document it provided to the media, the NBI said Montealto and Banga-Banga were involved in a 2011 ambush of a political leader of the then mayor of Borbon, Cebu that led to their 13-year conviction for attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms.

The NBI said that after their release, the two went back to their illegal activities, becoming gun-for-hires and allegedly selling illegal drugs in Bogo City and the neighboring towns of San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, and Sogod.

Montealto and Banga-Banga allegedly also figured prominently in several instances of illegal discharge of firearms and election-related harassment during the last elections.

The two, along with the 10 others who were believed to be illegal drug users, are detained at the NBI-CEBDO pending the filing of appropriate charges against them. (CEBU NEWS)