Cops halt 3 drug transactions

CEBU, Philippines - Three separate drug transactions in different Lapu-Lapu City barangays were caught red-handed by the City Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Group at this week's opening.

Arrested yesterday noon was Arnold Inot, 32, who is a resident of Barangay Bankal and who was in the middle of playing "tong-its" with his friends in Sitio Mahayahay.

Police Senior Inspector Junnel Caadlawon of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-CAIDSOTG, together with the elements of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, led the arrest of Inot around 2:40 p.m.

Inot, according to Caadlawon, thought they were busted for playing the card game, but it was a real buy-bust entrapment that led to confiscation of prohibited drugs.

Recovered from the suspect's pocket were 10 small packs of illegal substance believed to be shabu, two aluminum tin foils, one disposable lighter, one tooter and two pieces of P200 bill that served as marked money.

Another P500 bill, P100 bill and two pieces of P20 bill were also recovered which were believed to be proceeds of illegal drugs trade.

Meanwhile, three people were arrested Tuesday evening in Barangay Canjulao and in Sitio Saac, Barangay Buaya still in relation to drugs.

The suspect, identified as Joven Gestopa, 48, who is a resident of Barangay Canjulao, was arrested through buy-bust entrapment lead by Police Senior Inspector Rogelio Pineda.

Police officers confiscated from Gestopa's possession five pieces of small packs of suspected shabu and five aluminum tin foil strips. The marked money of P200 was also recovered.

Another drug duo was arrested in Sitio Saac, Barangay Buaya and was identified as Levy and Lemy Panuan, who are both residents of the mentioned barangay.

Lemy escaped during the entrapment operation leaving Levy behind. Recovered from Levy Panuan, 38, were three small packs of illegal drugs, pieces of aluminum tin foil strip and two pieces disposable lighters.

Police officers are filing charges against the suspects under Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. 

The suspects are detained in LCPO detention cell and are subject of further investigation.