Expat nabbed for selling “opium”

CEBU, Philippines — For the first time in Central Visayas, police were able to seize suspected opium from an Indian national businessman during an operation that led to his arrest at Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City, on Wednesday afternoon, December 3.

The arrested suspect was identified as 42-year-old Lalith Chellaram Sangwani, a resident of the area who runs a mini-mart selling Indian goods, where the suspected opium was also found.

The operation was jointly carried out by the Philippine National Police - Drug Enforcement Group, Special Operations Unit 7, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 (PDEA-7).

Confiscated from the suspect were at least 32 small bottles containing approximately 320 grams of suspected opium, valued at P208,000. Additionally, two small sachets containing a dark brown substance believed to be another variant of opium were also seized.

According to PDEA-7 information officer Leia Alcantara, this is the first time illegal opium has been confiscated in the region.

“As per our operations, this is the first recorded seizure of opium in Central Visayas,” she told The Freeman in an interview.

Based on police investigations, Sangwani was reported by a confidential informant for his illegal sale of illicit opium inside his mini-mart, which also sells Indian grocery products.

In the week following the report, police conducted test-buy and surveillance operations. Laboratory results later confirmed that the suspected drugs contained opium, prompting the issuance of an arrest warrant.

The arrest warrant was issued by the Honorable Anacleto Debaculos, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court of the 7th Judicial Region, Branch 17, in Cebu. The warrant was then immediately served by the operatives, leading to the suspect's arrest.

In addition to the drugs, police also recovered several suspicious pieces of evidence, including at least 23 automated teller machine (ATM) cards and credit cards from various local banks.

Five smartphones, a tablet, a smartwatch, and a digital video recorder were also seized.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect was capable of disposing of up to ten bottles weighing at least 50 grams each per week.

Police also stated that the opium products were supplied from Manila, with most of Sangwani’s customers being Indian nationals residing in Cebu City.

Currently, the accused is currently detained at the Cebu City Police Office - Mabolo Police Station 4, pending the filing of documents and a complaint with the Cebu City Prosecution Office.

He will face charges for violations of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — /IHM (FREEMAN)