A SUSPECTED drug peddler was killed in a buy-bust operation of the police in Barangay Lawaan 3, Talisay City, Tuesday dawn, Feb. 18, 2020.
Operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) identified the fatality as JC “Jessie” Dacuma Caballero, 27, a resident of Sitio Bliss, Barangay Lawaan 3.
Lt. Col. Marlu Conag, PIB head, said they conducted the operation at 1:13 a.m. on Tuesday.
While transacting a sale with the police, Conag said Caballero must have realized who he was dealing with and pulled out a gun. He fired at the operatives but he failed to hit them.
PIB operatives were able to retaliate and hit Caballero.
Emergency responders brought Caballero to the hospital but he died before arriving at the facility.
Police recovered a .22 caliber pistol, a small revolver and some empty shells from the scene.
They also recovered one medium-sized and one small-sized packs of white substance suspected to be shabu with an estimated market value of P27,472.
Conag said they have been monitoring Caballero’s activities for some time after his business partner was arrested for illegal drug-selling two years ago.
Caballero became identified as a high value drug target because he was reportedly selling illegal drugs not only in Talisay City but also in neighboring towns and cities.
After the arrest of his partner, Caballero dominated the drug market in Lagtang, Talisay, and also Toledo City and Balamban town, Conag said. He was often seen with a firearm, he added.
According to Conag, Caballero’s family reported him to the barangay for allegedly using his nephews as drug couriers to escape detection and arrest.
Conag added that Caballero was initially subjected to a buy-bust operation earlier this year but he was able to escape. ( FMD / JKV )