Alleged Level 2 pusher shot for attempt to evade arrest

CEBU, Philippines - An alleged Level 2 drug pusher was wounded in the leg after he was shot by authorities for attempting to evade arrest during an operation in Barangay Malhiao, Badian town yesterday morning.

Senior Insp. Joey Bicoy, the team leader, said Erwin Rojas also known as Win-Win or Nonoy was caught in the act of selling a medium pack of suspected shabu worth P10,000 to a poseur-buyer.   Bicoy’s right hand, Joey Español, 23, was also arrested for possession of illegal drugs.

However, sensing it was an entrapment operation, Rojas allegedly pulled out a gun and shot at the policemen, prompting the members of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (RAIDSOTG) to fire back. Rojas was hit in his left leg.

“Based sa information among nakuha, niingon daw siya nga kung magpadakop siya, di magpadakop nga buhi,” Bicoy said.

The poseur-buyer also sustained bruises in his legs when he took cover during the shootout.

“Batohan man to nga area. Nya hait ang mga bato mao nasamad siya,” Bicoy said.

Rojas was brought to the Badian District Hospital and was later transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. He and the police decoy are now in safe condition.  Bicoy said Rojas was subjected to surveillance for at least two weeks before the operation was carried out.

As a Level 2 drug pusher, Rojas reportedly could dispose of 200 grams of shabu in a week, catering to customers in Badian and its neighboring towns.  Police confiscated one large pack, eight medium packs, and 19 small packs of suspected shabu from Rojas. They also recovered cash worth P2,050 believed to be proceeds of the drug sale and a .45 caliber pistol from him.

Bicoy said the illegal drugs seized weighed more or less 70 grams with an estimated street value of P826,000.

Rojas reportedly started selling drugs last year. He added that the suspect gets his supply from cheaper sources in Cebu City, Dumanjug, and Moalboal.

Español, for his part, admitted running errands for Rojas like delivering the drugs and collecting payment from customers.

The two suspects will face charges for violating the comprehensive dangerous drugs law while Rojas will face a separate charge for illegal possession of firearms. —Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/JMO (FREEMAN)