Cops nab ‘big-time pusher’

MANDAUE City Police arrested a big-time pusher in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City and seized more than P185,000 worth of suspected drugs.

During the operation last Saturday the residents hurled stones at the police who arrested their neighbors.

Police estimated the confiscated drugs to weigh 25 grams.

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Arrested were Romeo “Tatay” Blanco, 42, a suspected big-time pusher, and two of his accomplices, namely Jose Alesna, 42, and Joshua Diores, 29.

City Anti Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (CAIDSOTG) of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Insp. Raymundo Rodriguez told reporters that the first transaction of two sachets of alleged shabu started in Sitio Sapa-Sapa, Barangay Subangdaku at 3:20 a.m. yesterday.

When the poseur buyer pretended to want some more drugs, Blanco reportedly brought him to his house in Sitio Holy Name, Barangay Mabolo in Cebu City.

When they got inside the suspect’s house and negotiated for the shabu, CAIDSOTG operatives stormed the place and arrested Blanco, Diores and Alesna. Alesna is a suspected pusher who operates in Sitio Sapa-Sapa.

Inside the house they confiscated five big packs of suspected shabu and 28 more small sachets.

But on their way out, the policemen were attacked with stones by residents. No policeman was injured.

Rodriguez said the suspect is a generous benefactor in the place, which is why his neighbors risk their lives to protect him.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) records show that each “bulto” is worth P37,000 which brings the total haul to more than P185,000 because of the additional 30 sachets seized.

Suspects are now detained at the Subangdaku Police Station. Police are preparing drugs charges against the suspect.

The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act or Republic Act (R.A 9165) provides that possession of more than five grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu is considered heinous and non-bailable.