POLICE and anti-narcotics agents arrested eight suspected drug pushers in separate buy-bust operations around Eastern Visayas from November 20 to 21, 2020.
In Ormoc City, police, in coordination with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Eastern Visayas, arrested two street-level individuals (SLIs).
They were identified as 32-year-old helper Joehmar Abaquita and 41-year-old jobless resident Edgar Labiste.
Purchased from Abaquita was one sachet containing suspected shabu, while confiscated from his possession and control were buy-bust money, three aluminum foil strips, two sachets containing suspected shabu and P80 cash.
A poseur buyer purchased one sachet of suspected shabu from Labiste.
Recovered from his possession and control were the buy-bust money, two sachets containing suspected shabu and P440 cash.
The two were arrested in separate operations on November 21, police said.
In Palo, Leyte, a 23-year-old pedicab driver, identified as Jerry Cañete, was arrested after he allegedly sold five medium heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected dried marijuana leaves to an operative.
Police also confiscated from the suspect, who is listed as SLI, two medium heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected dried marijuana leaves and buy-bust money.
On November 20, joint police operatives from Catbalogan Station Drug Enforcement Team, Samar Provincial Police Office (SPPO)-Provincial Intelligence Unit and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), arrested Marlo Bernate, self-employed.
The 25-year-old suspect yielded one sachet containing suspected shabu, as subject of sale, and four sachets of suspected shabu, as subject of possession, according to the police report.
Also confiscated from the suspect were bust-bust money, cellular phone, lighter, and P612 cash.
In Tacloban City, joint operatives from Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO)-Police Station 1 and City Drug Enforcement Unit, in coordination with PDEA, arrested two suspected drug pushers in separate operations on November 20.
The suspects were identified as 39-year-old carpenter Ferdinand Severino and 20-year-old Trofimo Taduyo Monteroso Jr.
Confiscated from Severino were one sachet containing suspected shabu, as subject of sale, and six sachets containing suspected shabu, along with P500 buy-bust money.
The suspected illegal drug has an estimated market value of P12,500, the report said.
Police also confiscated from Monteroso a coin purse containing two sachets of suspected shabu and buy-bust money, along with one sachet containing suspect shabu, as subject of sale.
All items recovered has an estimated market value of P32,000, police said.
According to the report, the suspect is a watch-listed drug personality.
On scene inspection was conducted by Major Edwin Cañamaque, commander TCPO-Police Station 1.
In Hilongos, Leyte, police arrested an alleged watch-listed drug personality identified as Edmundo Fornis, 36.
Joint operatives from Hilongos Municipal Police Station and Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO)-PDEU, in coordination with PDEA, arrested Fornis on November 20.
A poseur buyer was able to purchase from the suspect one sachet of suspect shabu with an estimated weight of 0.02gram worth P500.
While recovered from the suspect’s possession and control were three sachets containing suspected shabu, with an estimated total weight of 0.08 gram worth P1,500, and buy-bust money.
On November 20, joint operatives from Tanauan Municipal Police and LPPO-PDEU, in coordination with PDEA, arrested another LSI in Tanauan, Leyte.
Police identified the suspect as 40-year-old Noel Banson, jobless and a resident of the said town.
Purchased from the suspect was one sachet containing suspected shabu.
Also confiscated from the suspect’s possession and control were four sachets containing suspected shabu with a total street value of P2,500, buy-bust money, and a matchbox.
Barangay officials and media representatives witnessed the marking of drugs and non-drug items during the operation, the report said.
The suspects will be facing charges for violation of Section 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (SunStar Philippines)