Law enforcers seize more than P500K worth of shabu

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – Law enforcers Tuesday evening scored their biggest illegal drugs haul so far in Negros Oriental following the arrest of a suspected big-time drug pusher and a runner during two buy-bust operations in this capital city.

Seized from the two suspects were 10 big transparent plastic sachets or “bolto” of white crystalline powder and granules, believed to be shabu, with a total weight of 50 grams.

Inspector Janelito Marquez, head of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG), said the total value of the seized items was P590,000, based on the Dangerous Drugs Board’s value of the prohibited drugs.

He said a “bolto” is the street slang for illegal drugs packaging, weighing five grams each. A gram of shabu is pegged by DDB at P11,800 while street value varies, starting from P8,500 per gram, depending on the availability of the drug in the local market.

The arrested suspects were identified as May Flor Buncalan Saraña, alias Darlene, 24, single, a resident of Northern Junob and Neil Pinili Dejos, 22, single, a resident of Colon Street Extension in Taclobo, all in Dumaguete City.

Marquez said Saraña is the alleged “trusted” dealer of illegal drugs in the city, with her source initially identified as a suspected drug lord now incarcerated at the national jail in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, while Dejos is purportedly her runner.

Alleged operations are being carried out remotely, more likely through transactions over the mobile phone and transport via sea, air and land, said the police official.

Saraña was under close surveillance for several months and, last year, undercover agents had transacted with her for 100 grams of shabu at a local hotel but the deal was not consummated as the law enforcers could not produce the huge sum of money needed for the buy bust at the time, Marquez said.

Shortly before midnight Sunday evening, joint operatives of the PAIDSOTG, led by Marquez, and the NBI led by provincial head Dominador Cimafranca, finally caught the two suspects in two dragnet operations.

In the first buy-bust transaction, Dejos allegedly delivered seven plastic sachets of “shabu” to undercover operatives, causing his arrest. He subsequently disclosed to authorities his alleged source, referring to Saraña, whom he was told to call via mobile phone for more shabu delivery as law enforcers set up an entrapment for her.

Saraña fell in the hands of authorities in the next buy bust operation in northern Junob, where three transparent plastic sachets were seized from her, Marquez said.

Criminal charges in violation of Sec. 5 (selling) in relation to Sec. 26 (conspiracy) of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, were filed yesterday afternoon against the two suspects, who are now detained at the Dumaguete City police station’s lock-up facility. - THE FREEMAN