Board member nabbed for drugs deal
-A A +AThursday, January 10, 2013
ANTI-NARCOTICS agents arrested Tuesday night Misamis Oriental provincial Board Member Geodiquil Ursal for allegedly selling methamphetamine hydrochloride locally known as “shabu” in Barangay Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City.
The arrest of the 31-year-old politician, who is a native of Gingoog City, was a result of a buy-bust operation, said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Northern Mindanao Director Roberto S. Opeña.
Ursal allegedly yielded 14 sachets of shabu worth P50,000 when PDEA agents pounced on him at Zone 2 of said barangay.
Also apprehended were Ursal’s two companions identified as Ernesto Fernandez and Glenn Antigua.
A PDEA operative, who acted as poseur buyer, made a transaction with Ursal, paving the way to a pre-arranged meeting and the latter’s arrest.
The PDEA agents also impounded Ursal’s brand new Toyota Vios color red, along with the confiscation of some drugs paraphernalia.
“I think P3,000 or P4,000 yata ang buy-bust money. Hindi lang siya pusher, user din at the same time,” Opeña told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Opeña also tagged Ursal as No. 2 in the Top 10 list of “High Value Target” of PDEA.
Ursal declined to be interviewed by reporters who attempted to get his side.
PDEA also found out that Ursal has a pending murder charges in Gingoog City.
“Matagal na siyang involved sa illegal drugs. In fact, matunog na ang pangalan niya sa Gingoog City at established na rin kaya nahirapan kami sa paghuli sa kanya,” Opeña said.
The PDEA head also said that in the month of December alone, “we’ve learned that Ursal was able to sell at least 200 grams of shabu with an estimated amount of P2 million.”
PDEA has strengthened its campaign against narco-politics especially that the campaign period is about to start by March and the midterm elections will be in May 2013.
Ursal is seeking a second term as an independent candidate after he was dropped by his former political party PaDayon Pilipino for this year’s political exercise.
“Ma-fall din siya under narco-politics either to protect his illegal business or gagamitin niya to raise fund for his campaign sorties,” Opeña said.
Meanwhile, Governor Oscar Moreno said they adhere to the rule of law and that they respect and encourage enforcement efforts on the part of government and its law enforcement agencies.
“Nobody is above the law, and Kag. Ursal is no exception. After all, there is no exception,” he said.
For his part, Vice Governor Norris Babiera was saddened that one of the Provincial Board members is involved in illegal drugs.
Likewise, he insisted to let the law take its own course since nobody is above the law.
“We lauded PDEA for their efforts and for doing their job,” Babiera added.
As Provincial Board chairman, Babiera assured to act on the matter and make disciplinary action against Ursal through the blue ribbon committee.
Ursal and his companions are now temporarily detained at the PDEA custodial facility awaiting a court order for proper case disposition.
Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on January 10, 2013.
Local news
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