Taguig shabu queen falls

A 37-year-old suspected drug pusher, tagged by residents of a Taguig City barangay as the "shabu queen," was arrested early yesterday by the local police.

Fe Bergonia, a resident of J.P. Rizal street in Barangay Upper Bicutan, was nabbed by joint elements of the Station Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force (SAID-SOTF) and the Taguig Anti-Crime and Illegal Drugs Task Force at 3:45 a.m.

Councilor Henry Dueñas Jr., chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s committee on peace and order, said the suspect had been the subject of complaints by residents of Upper Bicutan, where she allegedly employs minors and even children as drug couriers.

"The suspect caught the ire of elders in their barangay because she was be using even children in the delivery of shabu to her clients," Dueñas noted.

The Taguig anti-crime hotline was earlier flooded with calls from concerned residents describing Bergonia’s illegal activities.

After a weeklong surveillance, a police team, led by Senior Inspector Eufronio Obong Jr. of SAID-SOTF conducted a buy-bust operation with Police Officer 2 Ricky Taca acting as the buyer.

Just a few step’s from Bergonia’s house, Taca was able to buy P500 worth of shabu.

She attempted to flee after sensing a buy-bust, but was eventually collared after a brief chase.

"When her husband Orlan died in 2004, Bergonia continued his drug peddling business in their area," Obong said.

He added that Bergonia had a standing warrant of arrest for another drug case.

The suspect was charged for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act and is now detained at the Taguig City Jail.

Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga said the arrest of Bergonia showed that community involvement is vital in the fight against all forms of criminality.

He called on the public to be vigilant and be more involved, especially in the campaign on illegal drugs.

Tiñga said residents can report suspicious activities or sightings of known of criminal elements to hotline 640-2222.