Submachine guns, drugs seized in two operations

CEBU, Philippines — More than ?1.5 million worth of suspected shabu and an Uzi submachine gun were seized in separate anti-drug operations in Cebu City and Toledo City, resulting in the arrest of three individuals, including two high-value individuals (HVIs).

In the latest operation, operatives of the City Intelligence Unit of the Cebu City Police Office arrested a 39-year-old regional-level HVI identified only as alias “Egong” in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, past 11 P.M. last Friday, November 13.

Authorities recovered 208.7 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of ?1,419,160 from the suspect, a single man residing along Andres Abellana Extension in the same barangay.

Egong is now detained at Police Station 9 pending the filing of charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, a separate buy-bust operation in Barangay Bato, Toledo City, on Thursday evening, November 12, led to the arrest of another HVI and his female companion.

The suspects were identified only as alias “Jefrex,” 41, tagged as an HVI and a resident of Sitio Latid, and alias “Yang,” 24, both residents of the same barangay.

Police seized seven sachets containing 13.96 grams of suspected shabu worth ?94,928.

Also recovered from the two suspects was an Uzi submachine gun without a serial number, fitted with a silencer and a magazine loaded with five 9mm rounds.

The two suspects remain in police custody and are facing appropriate charges for alleged violations of the laws on illegal drugs and firearms.