FIVE suspected drug pushers, including a former detainee who recently availed of a plea bargaining agreement for drug selling and possession, were arrested in separate buy busts in Minglanilla town on Friday, March 29.

Around P65,000 worth of illegal drugs were recovered in three operations conducted in Barangays Tunghaan, Guindarohan and Calajoan.

Anti-illegal drug enforcement operatives led by Police Major Verniño Noserale arrested Kevin Soriano, 28, a habal-habal driver, after he was caught selling illegal drugs inside an abandoned house in St. Joseph Village, Barangay Tunghaan at 3:30 a.m. on Friday.

Recovered from Soriano were seven small packs and one medium pack of suspected shabu worth P15,000 and around P420 worth of drug proceeds.

An hour later, the same team arrested Neil Tapdasan, 23, and his younger brother, Melvin, 21, after they caught selling illegal drugs in Sitio Proper, Barangay Guindarohan, in the same town.

Recovered from the two brothers were two medium packs and nine small packs of suspected shabu worth P24,000.

Police said the two were newly-identified street level sellers.

At 5:30 a.m. on the same day, police collared Dexter Fernandez, 33, and Henry San Miguel, 49, after they were caught selling illegal drugs in Barangay Calajoan.

Police recovered two medium packs and 11 small packs of shabu from the two suspects.

Anti-illegal drug enforcement operatives disclosed that San Miguel was recently released from detention after availing of a plea bargaining agreement for suspects facing drug cases.

Separately, San Miguel denied the illegal drugs recovered were his.

But he admits he still uses illegal drugs on occasions.

The five are currently detained at the Minglanilla Police Station and will be charged for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

The five were arrested through a Synchronized Enhanced Managing Police Operations (SEMPO) which started from Friday until Saturday, March 30. (JKV)