“Drug pusher” arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Over P350,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized from an alleged drug pusher who was arrested during a second buy-bust operation was conducted against him in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City yesterday dawn.

Melchor Villanueva alias “Chong”, 46, of A. Lopez Street, Sitio Mahayahay in the same barangay, was arrested by operatives of the Cebu City Intelligence Branch after handing over a small pack of suspected shabu to a police poseur-buyer in exchange for P300.

This was the second time the CIB operatives conducted an operation against Villanueva.

In the first operation in April, Villanueva was able to elude arrest. However, his live-in partner, Maria Liza Diaz, 42, died when she got pierced by a steel bar after she tried to escape from the arresting team.

The authorities recovered last April a pack of suspected shabu, two other medium packs and 42 small packs from Villanueva’s house worth P150,000.

Superintendent Romeo Santander, chief of the CIB, said even though there are times that they cannot arrest the subject of their operations, they do not give up and conduct further operations.

“Wala gyud na namo undangi. I-follow up gyud na namo in every operation nga wala ang subject,” explained Santander.

Santander said that after they received reports that Villanueva still continued with his illegal activities in the same house, they immediately placed the suspect under surveillance for a few weeks before they conducted the operation.

The operatives were able to confiscate one medium and five small packs of suspected shabu. All illegal drugs weighed around 30 grams amounting to at least P354,000, based on the Dangerous Drugs Board value.

Santander said Villanueva is a level two drug pusher and just sold some of his supply of illegal drugs when they conducted the operation.

His house was reportedly occupied by another drug personality identified as a certain Charlie Narciso who was arrested last March 14 after the police confiscated P130,000 worth of illegal drugs from him.

On the other hand, Villanueva denied all the allegations, saying no buy-bust operation took place since he was just sleeping inside his house.

He admitted though that he had been involved in illegal drugs but it was a long time ago. He allegedly stopped because he has a heart failure, asthma and high blood pressure.

Santander said Villanueva will be facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002.  (FREEMAN)