Drug pusher’s 4 cohorts indicted

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office has found probable cause and indicted the cohorts of an alleged bigtime pusher who was killed in a recent anti-drug operation in Barangay Yati, Liloan.

State Prosecutor Ethel Miel recommended the filing of illegal possession of drugs or violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act against Errel Limbohan, Jeffrey Contreras, Rene Solon and Benjie Sitenta.

Miel recommended a P200,000 bail for each of the respondents for their temporary liberty.

Limbohan, 34, a resident of Mabolo, Cebu City, was also charged for illegal possession of firearms or violation of RA 10591 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act with P175,000 recommended bail and illegal possession of explosives or violation of RA 9516 with no bail recommended.

Contreras, 23, of Mandaue City; Solon, 31; and Sitenta, 32, both from Medellin town, were also charged for illegal possession of firearms with a bail of P175,000.

During inquest proceeding last Thursday, the four respondents manifested to face the charges in court.

On August 2, 2014, a buy-bust operation was conducted by the Provincial Intelligence Branch against Noel Codiñera, a resident of Barangay Yati.

A poseur-buyer was able to buy four small packs of shabu worth P1,000 from Codiñera, an alleged level 2 drug pusher, according to the police.

During the operation, the police were reportedly forced to shoot Codiñera when the latter pulled out his cal. 45 pistol when he was arrested. Codiñera was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Armed with a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Teresita Galanida, the police searched the house of Codiñera and recovered shabu worth P2.1 million, two KG9 pistols, two cal. 45 pistols, a 5.56 pistol, assorted ammunition, a grenade, drug paraphernalia, and cash.

Four others namely Dennis Tautho, Jennelyn Catayas, Niña Ulohan and Edilyn Pepito, who were arrested during the operation, were released from police custody after it was found out that they have no participation in the crime. —/NSA (FREEMAN)