A MAN previously charged for illegal drugs and availed the provision of plea bargaining will be celebrating the New Year behind bars after he was arrested for possessing P3.3 million worth of illegal drugs.
Based on the police report, the suspect was identified as Jelovi Saberon Alegarbes, 41, vendor, of Maniki Poblacion, Kapalong in Davao del Norte, but a transient resident of Phase 1, SIR Matina, Davao City.
He was apprehended around 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 30, at a checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril, Davao City while onboard a mini-van vehicle by the personnel of Toril Police Station together with Task Force (TF) Davao.
While Saberon’s vehicle was passing the screening area, the duty officer saw one improvised glass tooter on the dashboard. This prompted personnel manning the checkpoint to thoroughly search the vehicle and found several drug items.
Upon inspection, they discovered more illegal drug items and confiscated four jumbo-sized heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as "shabu," two square-shaped sachets containing shabu, two-pieces medium-sized sachets of shabu, an improvised tooter, an improvised lighter, a sunglass pouch, brown paper wrap packaging, and one unit Multicab van.
The seized drugs weighed 211.6 grams with an estimated value of P3,300,000.
Based on the report, Alegarbes availed of a plea bargain last 2018. The program seeks to reduce jail sentences and lower fines of those caught with possession of very small quantities of shabu, marijuana, and other illegal drugs. The program seeks to address overcrowding in jail facilities.
A case of violation of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act is being prepared for filing in court against the suspect.
Meanwhile, TF Davao Commander Consolito Yecla said the apprehension was the second successful checkpoint operation this year involving more than a million worth of illegal drugs.
“We commend the professionalism of the TF Davao personnel manning the checkpoints in supporting the President’s War on Drugs. We are happy to triple our accomplishment in the total worth of drugs intercepted through checkpoints or support to PNP buy-bust operations compared last year,” Yecla said.