Man in cops’ watchlist falls in anti-drug ops

CEBU, Philippines – One of the top 10 most notorious drug personalities of Mactan Police Station in Lapu-Lapu City fell in the hands of authorities Sunday evening.

Police arrested Noli Ompad, 36, resident of Sitio Bukid-Bukid, Barangay Pajac, who has been under their watchlist over reports of illegal drug trade in the area.

Ompad was apprehended around 12:20 noon on Sunday in a buy-bust operation, said Senior Inspector Verniño Noserale, chief of City Intelligence Branch and City Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group of LCPO.

Noserale said Ompad yielded a total of 11 small packs of suspected shabu.

In a separate anti-drug operation, Noserale reported they were also able to arrest a certain Jeff Joneth Alexander Soliano who was identified resident of Sitio Buyong, Barangay Maribago.

Soliano reportedly yielded 37 small packs of suspected shabu.

Soliano, according to Noserale, is the son of Alexander Soliano, 50, who was arrested on March 15 and now detained over a drug case as well.

Aside from the illegal drugs, Ompad also yielded drug paraphernalia, P510 worth of proceeds believed to be from his illegal trade and a cellular phone which will be used as evidence against him.

Jeff Soliano, for his part, surrendered P170 worth of proceeds and his motorcycle with plate number 130106.

Police recovered the marked money of P200 at each operation.

The two suspects are now detained at Lapu-Lapu City Detention Cell and will be facing drug charges under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of  2002.