A RELATIVE of suspected drug lord Franz Sabalones, a son of a retired police officer and 26 suspected drug personalities were caught in separate anti-narcotics operations in Talisay City last Thursday.
At 4 p.m., alleged drug den operators and 21 visitors were arrested in Sitio Rattan, Barangay Tanke by a joint team composed of operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7, Regional Special Operations Group 7, and Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group 7.
PDEA 7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz identified the operators as Richard Macuto, 35, and Bernilito Padillo, 25.
P360,000 haul
Some 34 packs of white crystals believed to be shabu and drug paraphernalia were seized during the operation. The contraband weighed 100 grams with an estimated street value of around P360,000.
The operators are reportedly new players in the drug trade as they were not caught in past operations.
The PDEA 7 has the name of their supplier, but it is still validating the information.
Two hours later, a team from the Talisay City Police Station led by its chief, Supt. Aileen Recla, nabbed Memar Sabalones Sabarita in a buy-bust Sitio Sangi 2, Barangay Tabunok.
Cristitoto Inot, 40, of the Philippine Coast Guard and Sabarita’s relative Fretchie were also arrested. A woman was able to escape.
Recla’s team seized 21 small sachets of shabu worth P7,780.
Source of drugs
Sabarita, who is allegedly related to Sabalones, told investigators he got his shabu from a drug personality in Barangay Pasil, Cebu City.
At 9 p.m., Recla’s team collared Jack Labita, son of a former cop, and his live-in partner Zardyleen Abaquita in a buy-bust in Sitio Kilawan, Barangay Tanke.
Police confiscated 4.2 grams of shabu worth P49,500 from the suspects. Labita also yielded a .38 revolver and seven bullets.
The suspects also told Recla their supplier is from Pasil.
Complaints for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against the suspects.