SEVEN persons were arrested while two others escaped in separate drug buy-bust operations by the Cebu provincial police.
The first arrest happened in barangay Tayud, Consolacion, town past 3 p.m. last Wednesday but the subject, Armando Pepito, escaped.
Operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch ended up arresting Mark Anthony Maquilan.
He was caught buying a pack of shabu from Pepito, said police.
Police said a poseur-buyer bought illegal drugs from Pepito, but the man noticed the presence of the police and ran away.
Although he eluded arrest, charges will still be filed against Pepito, said police.
An hour later, five persons were arrested in a drug den in sitio Maharlika, barangay Sambag 2, Cebu City.
Arrested were Jeffrey Lopido, Gerome Merinda, Alyssa Jane Ababon, John Roger Dinoro, and Jungie Noval, all residents of the barangay.
The subject of the operation was Alfredo “Tatay” Bicada.
Bicada sold two packs of suspected shabu to a poseur-buyer then ran off when he saw Lopido being handcuffed.
Police said a pack of suspected shabu was recovered from Lopido’s possession.
Forty small packs and four medium packets with white crystalline substance were recovered in the drug den, said police.
Last to fall about four hours later was Ronald “Black” Carunungan, who was arrested in barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City, after he allegedly sold three packs of suspected shabu to a police asset./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON