Nigerian, 2 female suspects nabbed in drug busts in Cebu, Cavite
By Chito Chavez
Government anti-narcotics authorities seized around P6.8 million worth of shabu following the arrest of a Nigerian and two Filipinas during separate buy-bust operations in Cavite and Cebu City, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) stated on Sunday, July 19.
In an operation in Bacoor City, Cavite around P3.4 million worth of suspected shabu was confiscated where a Nigerian businessman and his Filipina cohort were apprehended.
The PDEA-Regional Office National Capital Region (PDEA RO-NCR) Southern District Office, PDEA Cavite Provincial Office and the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) Special Operations Unit 4A collared the suspects at around 2:43 a.m. on July 17 along Bacoor Boulevard in Barangay Niog.
Aside from the more or less 500 grams of suspected shabu, the operatives confiscated the marked money used in the operation, two mobile phones, identification cards, automated teller machine (ATM) cards, a GCash card, a Palawan Suki card and a wallet.
Strategically-positioned operatives overpowered the suspects immediately after getting the signal from the undercover agent that the deal was completed.
A few minutes over two hours later, another P3.4 million worth of shabu was seized following the arrest of a female vendor during a buy-bust operation in Cebu City.
PDEA 7 Regional Director Joel Plaza said that alias “Belinda’’ was nabbed at around 4:52 a.m. at Sitio Lutaw-Lutaw in Barangay Santo Niño.
Information provided by the tipsters and the long weeks of surveillance operations finally led to the arrest of the suspect, according to the PDEA.
After getting confirmation that the drug deal was done, agents of the PDEA 7 and Cebu City Police Station 3 collared the suspect immediately.
Aside from the 22 packs of shabu weighing approximately 550 grams, authorities also confiscated a cellular phone and other non-drug pieces of evidence.
Alias “Belinda’’ is now held at the PDEA 7 detention facility while the confiscated shabu was submitted to the PDEA 7 Regional Office Laboratory for proper disposition.
Plaza noted that the suspect may face the maximum penalty of life imprisonment and fine of up to P10 million.