Shabu worth P1M seized in Lahug raid

CEBU, Philippines - Suspected shabu worth more than P1 million was confiscated from a 60-year-old man during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Veterans Drive, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City last Monday afternoon.

Six others were arrested in the operation carried out by operatives of the Cebu City Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task-Group.

Renato Cruz, the target of the operation, was arrested with Noel Suson, 47; Michael Sarmiento, 35; Albert Bircede, 33; Jed Paulo Arcayan, 18; Charlie Ormilla; and Christopher Bojos, 24.

Sarmiento, Bircede, Arcayan, Ormilla, and Bojos were reportedly caught in a shabu session at one of the rooms at Cruz’ house.

Senior Insp. Eunil Avergonzado, CAIDSOTG chief, said Cruz has been in their watch list following numerous complaints from parents of students at a school located near Cruz’ house. The activity at Cruz house, like motorcycle-for-hire drivers reportedly going in and out randomly, has stirred suspicion and worry among the parents.

Avergonzado said they monitored Cruz for one month. Cruz was reportedly elusive and moved from one place to another. They carried out the buy-bust operation last Monday after receiving information Cruz was in the area.

Cruz was arrested at around 5:40 p.m. just as he handed a small pack of suspected shabu to a poseur buyer in exchange for P200.

Avergonzado said they purposely conducted the operation at a time Cruz received a fresh supply of illegal drugs.

They were then able to confiscate 35 small and three large packs of suspected shabu that weighed around 90 grams amounting to P1,068,000 based on Dangerous Drugs Board estimate.

Avergonzado said Cruz is a level two drug pusher who could sell at least 200 and up to 300 grams of illegal drugs every week.

Suson, Cruz’ alleged cohort, was arrested inside Cruz’s room with drug paraphernalia. The five other men were arrested at the other four rooms of Cruz’s house, some of whom were found with drug paraphernalia and small packs of suspected shabu.

Cruz denied knowledge of the illegal drugs found at his house but admitted using drugs.

“Kana man gud akong balay, daghan kaayo na mga tawo kay naa man nag-abang diha. Ambot lang kung kinsa ang nagbilin atong mga shabu sa akong kwarto,” Cruz said.

Cruz and the six other men will be facing charges for violation for Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002. –(FREEMAN)