Notorious drug pusher arrested

CEBU, Philippines - A notorious drug pusher who eluded arrest August this year during a buy-bust operation was finally arrested on the strength of an arrest warrant served to him the other day at his home in P. Remedio Street, Banilad, Mandaue City.

Ralph Oporto, 37, wrestled with arrest warrant server SPO 2 Theodore Fuentes for almost 30 minutes.

Casuntingan police chief P/Insp. Jimmy Fortez said the reason why Oporto resisted arrest was because he had shabu in his possession.

However, shabu placed in sachets was only found at the police station after Fortez became suspicious when Oporto wanted a cousin to take his belt home.

This prompted Fortez to inspect the belt and found shabu.

Aside from the four small packs of shabu, also found were P2,440, two lighters, and an ID card which bears his face but with a different name and signature.

Fortez suspected that the ID card was used by Oporto for his other illegal transactions.

He said that a warrant of arrest was served against Oporto after a case of drug pushing was filed against him last August.

Oporto’s arrest yesterday was his second.

Early this year, he was arrested by the team of P/Insp. Ramil Morpos of the Investigation and Detective Management Bureau (IDMB) for suspicions he was armed at the time.

The IDMB did not find a gun. Instead, it found shabu in his possession.

Oporto got his freedom back after posting bail for his illegal drug case.

He is now detained at the Casuntingan police station pending the filing of another illegal drug case against him today before he will be presented to the sala of Judge Teresita Cinco of the RTC branch 55. (FREEMAN)