High-value drug suspect falls

CEBU, Philippines — Around ?10.2 million worth of suspected shabu was seized from a high-value target during a joint buy-bust operation in Barangay Subangdaku, Cebu City, on Thursday evening, February 19.

The arrested suspect was identified as John Kenneth Ostia, 22, a resident of Sitio Tabok Canal, Barangay Pardo, Cebu City.

Recovered from Ostia were one large pack and 10 medium packs of suspected shabu weighing at least 1.5 kilograms estimated at ?10,200,000 along with other drug paraphernalia.

The said anti-illegal drug operation was jointly carried out by the Mandaue City Police Office-City Intelligence Unit (CIU) and City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), and in coordination with the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, Philippine Drug Enforcement Group-7, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7.

“Ang operation na ito ay dako og epekto sa ongoing distribution not only here in Mandaue City, but also sa other cities in Cebu,” said Mandaue CIU/CDEU chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Gifter Sucalit.

He also disclosed that Ostia has been monitored by the authorities for four weeks prior to his arrest.

They found out that the suspect, classified as a high-value drug personality, sells around two kilograms of shabu per week.

Sucalit also mentioned that authorities have already gathered information on where the confiscated illegal drugs came from. However, he said this still needs to be validated.

He added that another build-up to the case will be launched and an investigation will be launched against the drug personalities revealed by the suspect so that they will also be apprehended.

He added the police force also aims to neutralize the existing illegal drug operations through the help of the public, urging them to report relative information regarding illegal activities in their community. (CEBU NEWS)