METROPOLICE: Another drug pusher falls in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines - More than P300,000 worth of prohibited drugs were seized Thursday evening from a man believed to be a drug distributor in Sitio Soong, Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.

The operation was led by Lapu-Lapu City's Cebu Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group.

Acting police director Armando Radoc of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office confirmed at yesterday's press conference that they arrested German Malingin, 47, a wood carver in Barangay Mactan.

Before the seizure, a search warrant was issued last Monday by Judge Toribio Quiwag of Regional Trial Court Branch 27.

Malingin is considered as a Level 2 drug pusher who could allegedly dispose 150 to 200 grams in a week.

Recovered from Malingin's possession were a large pack of suspected shabu, 364 small packs of shabu, two disposable lighters and P2,050 believed to be the proceeds of the illegal transactions.

Also confiscated were digital weighing scale, six pieces of aluminum foil sticks, one unit KG9 machine gun, one unit of KG9 magazine, 12 pieces of 9mm live ammunition and one rifle grenade.

Two P100 bills that served as marked money of the operation were also recovered.

Police Senior Inspector Rogelio Pineda of CAIDSOTG said Malingin was arrested around 11:30 in the evening inside his kitchen.

Prior to the buy-bust, Pineda said Radoc received a text message complaining about the rampant drug trade in the area whose customers are spa workers, construction workers, as well as tricycle drivers.

A test-buy and surveillance from confidential agents of the police took two months to confirm before the suspect was captured.

Pineda explained to the media that the suspect does not easily transact with anyone unless he knows the buyer.

Malingin, for his part, admitted he was arrested in 2005 for his involvement in the same trade but was able to bail out.

The suspect is currently detained in the holding cell of the LCPO while the recovered evidences were subjected to examination.

Malingin will be charged for violating Republic Act 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act. (FREEMAN)