A FORMER fish dealer at the Pasil Fish Market landed in jail after he was caught sleeping with around P1.2 million worth of suspected shabu in his rented room on Abellana St., Cebu City yesterday morning.
His 18-year-old alleged cohort, Michael Garcia Delumbar, was also found with two medium sachets of what appeared to be methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu.
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 raided the room reportedly rented by Jeffrey Delos Santos, 30, at 6:30 a.m. They brought with them a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Executive Judge Soliver Peras, authorizing the operation.
An informant told the detectives that Santos had been selling large packs of the drugs to small-scale pushers in Barangay Pasil. Garcia served as his lookout, according to CIDG 7 Chief Investigator Delfin Bontuyan.
Delos Santos was still sleeping that time, Senior Insp. Bontuyan said. Garcia, who was sitting on a bench outside the room, did not notice the detectives until they passed through an open gate.
Bontuyan said the room was surrounded by cemented fence and a steel gate, although it was the only structure built in the area. It was situated near the public market, where Delos Santos claimed he used to sell fish.
“Makuhakuhaan gyud nang shabu diha kay kini siya, usa man nis pinakadako (The supplies of shabu are expected to lessen in the area as Delos Santos is one of the largest pushers here),” Bontuyan said, classifying the suspect as a level-two pusher.
Delos Santos, however, said the proceeds of the illegal drugs he was selling do not go to him. He was just employed.
“Bayran ra ko’g P500 kada semana (I’m being paid P500 every week),” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
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Delos Santos refused to identify his boss, saying that he does not want to be killed by the boss yet as he has four children, who could not survive without his income.
He said he has been in the trade for at least five months. He sold fishes in the market before but “nahurot ang puhunan sa sigeg palit tambal sa sakit-sakit sa anak, ari na lang ko (my pocket was drained when my children got sick and I had to buy them medicines).”
He denied that Garcia is his cohort.
Delos Santos said the boy was in his house only to ask for a cup of rice.
“Mao na man na sa amo, maghinatagay og kan-on kung kinsay naay sobra (That’s a common practice in our neighborhood, giving the needy some more rice),” he said.
Surveillance
Bontuyan, however, said that their two-week surveillance over the suspect’s house showed that the boy had become his lookout every day.
Garcia does not go to school.
Found in the room were seven large, two medium and 44 small sachets of white crystals believed to be shabu. An unlicensed 9mm firearm and some amunitions of .45 and .38 caliber guns were also found.
The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) estimated the value of the seized drugs at P1,180,000.
Bontuyan said they will file charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against the two.
If convicted, Garcia and Delos Santos will have to face 20 to 40 years in jail.