Ex-US military man falls in Tagbilaran drug bust

TAGBILARAN CITY — Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested a former United States soldier who was reportedly a top drug personality in this city on Thursday.

John Reynan Rejas, 42, was caught at around 6:30 a.m. in Purok 8 , Barangay Poblacion 1, Tagbilaran City.

PDEA-Bohol said Rejas was No. 5 target-listed personality.

Rejas retired from the US Army and arrived in Bohol last year. He had been placed under surveillance for several months for his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade and possession of loose firearms.

The raid, which involved elements from PDEA-Bohol, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bohol, Special Action Force, and Tagbilaran City Police Station, was based on a search warrant issued by a local court.

The operating team recovered at the suspect’s residence five sachets of shabu weighing around 15 grams with an estimated market value of P102,000, drug paraphernalia, live ammunition of a caliber. 45 and caliber .22, .22 rifle with scope and silencer, pieces of empty shells of caliber 5.56, caliber .45, caliber .40, caliber 9mm and a holster.

The suspect will be charged for possession of dangerous drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and violations against Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

JPV