10 people nabbed in five drug-busts

CEBU, Philippines - Six persons were arrested by the police for selling and possession of illegal drugs while four college students were caught sniffing drugs in five separate incidents in Cebu in the past two days.

Operatives of the Moalboal Police Station arrested Sergio “Iboy” Decosto, 23, during a buy-bust operation Friday afternoon in Poblacion East, Moalboal.

The arrest happened at around 6:30 p.m. after Decosto sold two pieces of transparent plastic packs containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu to Police Inspector Edgar Labe who acted as poseur-buyer.

The police also arrested four college students who were reportedly caught sniffing shabu inside the house of Decosto.

The suspects were identified as Jacob Rey Mahinay, 19; Carlo Carba, 19; Louie Jay Abonales, 19; and Mon George Gabunelas, 20, all residents of Moalboal, Cebu.

PO3 Edwin Illut of the Moalboal Police Station said that Mahinay is a third-year college student taking up BS Physical Therapy, Carba and Abonales are second-year and third-year BS-Hospitality Management students, respectively, while Gabunelas is a third-year college student taking up BS-Information Technology.

The suspects will face charges for violation of the Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Meanwhile, Rodrigo Loreto and Edgardo Yaun were arrested while Rubigess Cabucos was able to escape in another buy-bust operation conducted by the police in Barangay Antipolo, Medellin at around 6:30 a.m. yesterday.

Operatives of the Medellin Police Station led by Chief Inspector Fructuoso Lim Jr. confiscated 10 small transparent plastic packs containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu and P200 marked money from the suspects.

Loreto and Yaun are currently detained at the Medellin Police Station while Cabucos remained at large.

Jomar “Ondo” Dayagro was also arrested Friday for possession of illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, and unlicensed firearm in Barangay Ocaña, Carcar City.

Police seized three pieces of small heat-sealed plastic packs believed to be shabu, drug paraphernalia, and a caliber .38 revolver with two live rounds of ammunitions.

In Samboan town, Cesar “Bigong” Dinglasa, 42, was also apprehended Friday by the police in Barangay Poblacion.

Two pieces of small heat-sealed plastic packs of suspected shabu were recovered from his possession.

On the same day, the Daanbantayan Police Station arrested Julius Barro, 22, for possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia around 2 p.m.

Recovered from Barro were one small pack containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, three pieces of lighter, 17 pieces of rolled tin foil, and one piece of rolled tissue paper.— (FREEMAN)