Cops score anew, P3.5 million shabu seized in bust

CEBU, Philippines - Four days after the arrest of an alleged drug lord in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City, authorities scored anew in the campaign against illegal drugs after busting P3.5 million worth of shabu from an alleged drug pusher in Barangay Apas yesterday afternoon.

Senior Superintendent Noli Romana said they have seized 11 “large” packs and nine “big” packs of suspected shabu that were about to be delivered to Barangay Talamban.

Romana said he and Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman personally went to sitio CRCI where the buy-bust was conducted.

The operation was carried out by operatives of City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (CAIDSOTG) of the Cebu City Police Office with the help of the Mabolo police.  

Authorities arrested Alcher Baynas, 29, a resident of Apas and an alleged level two drug pusher, and Don Tan, from Barangay Talamban, who was allegedly caught in the act of sniffing shabu.

Baynas was the subject of the operation, said Senior Inspector Eunil Avergonzado, CAIDSOT chief. He could reportedly dispose of 200 grams to a kilo of shabu in a week.

Avergonzado said they placed sitio CRCI under surveillance after receiving reports of the illegal drugs trade from City Hall. Ayuman confirmed hearing about the reports.

Police swooped on Baynas after he sold P40,000 worth of shabu to an operative. Police subsequently searched his house and found several packs of shabu inside Baynas’ room.

Baynas’ mother, Eda, who arrived after the operation demanded for a search warrant but police explained the document wasn’t necessary considering that it stemmed from a buy-bust operation.

Eda admitted knowing about her son’s activities but said she never thought he was disposing of millions worth of drugs. She said she has since been asking her son to stop his illegal activities but Baynas never heeded her request.

Baynas said he has been in the illegal drug trade for only a year but, as of yesterday, refused to divulge his sources for fear of his security.

Baynas and Tan are currently detained at Cebu City Police Office’s stockade while awaiting the filing of charges against them for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act./JMO (FREEMAN)