A 29-year-old man believed to be a member of a drug syndicate was caught in a drug bust inside a convenience store on N. Bacalso Ave. in Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City on Friday morning, March 15.

Suspect Jemmar Layaguin yielded 500 grams of white crystals believed to be shabu worth P3.4 million to the operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7.

PDEA 7 Acting Director Thessa Albaño-Tiuzen said the suspect placed the contraband in four condoms and wrapped it in a plastic bag to avoid detection.

She described Layaguin, who hails from Barangay Bagacay in Dumaguete City, as a new player, but he can be already classified as a high value target because of the large quantity of shabu seized from him.

Tiuzen said they confirmed Layaguin's illegal activity after a month-long surveillance.

The operatives noticed some laurel leaves inside the package. Tiuzen said the suspect used the leaves to avoid detection from the dogs of K9 unit stationed in ports.

Layaguin was about to bring the contraband to Dumaguete, but an undercover PDEA 7 agent insisted that their transaction be made in Cebu City. The suspect agreed and it resulted in his arrest.

The suspect, however, did not own up the contraband and he accused PDEA 7 of planting the evidence.

“Dili na akoa. Ilaha man nang dala (That's not mine. They brought it here),” he said.

A complaint for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against Layaguin. (From AYB of Superbalita Cebu/KAL)