By Martin Sadongdong
A staggering P8.3 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu were recovered from two alleged big-time drug suppliers who were arrested in separate buy-bust operations in Cebu City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed Wednesday.
A police report reaching PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City identified the suspects as Jonmark Cardenas, 19, and Vanessa Lauron alias "Van Van," 24.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF CEBU CITY PNP / MANILA BULLETIN)
The first operation was conducted by joint elements of the Cebu City Police Station 11 and Station 6 which resulted to the arrest of Cardenas at Block 4, Brgy. Sawang Calero, Cebu City around 11 p.m. Tuesday.
Quoting a police report, Senior Superintendent Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said a poseur-buyer bought P50,000 worth of illegal drugs from Cardenas.
When Cardenas accepted the boodle money from the undercover cop, the back-up team arrested the suspect.
Police seized from Cardenas eight plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing 200 grams.
According to Banac, the drugs were estimated to be worth P1.36 million based on the values set by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).
Meanwhile, Lauron was apprehended in the same area by operatives of the Cebu City Police Station 8 at 12:54 a.m. Wednesday.
This time, a poseur-buyer bought P7,000 worth of illegal drugs from Lauron, according to Banac.
Police then collared Lauron when the undercover agent successfully handed the boodle money to her.
Three large plastic sachets with suspected shabu were seized from Lauron. The stash weighed around 1.34 kilos and had a street value of P7,035,280.
Police also recovered the boodle money from Lauron when they frisked her.
According to Banac, the operations were a result of the collaboration between the community who tipped the police about the alleged activities of the drug suspects.
The PNP official believes that although the two operations seemed to be unrelated, the two suspects are possibly part of big drug syndicates operating in the area where they were both arrested.
"We intend to pursue this until we have dismantled all drug syndicates, arrested all their members and put them behind bars following the prescribed rules of engagement, respect for human rights and value of life," Banac stressed.
Cardenas and Lauron were detained at the Cebu City Police Station where they face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.