Couple, neighbors nabbed in Ermita drug bust

CEBU City police arrested five persons in an illegal drug operation in barangay Ermita, Cebu City, on Monday night.

Joel Rojo Lacaba, 48, was arrested after he allegedly sold a pack of suspected shabu to a member of the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) who posed as a  buyer.

Lacaba’s his wife Evangeline, neighbors Alex Hughes Gerat, Maribel Gonzales Flores and Lorena Alarde Quera were also arrested for  allegedly sniffing shabu.

Some neighbors intervened.

CIB operatives had to call for backup from the Mobile Patrol Group and members of the Carbon police.

More policemen arrived and it was only then that  CIB members were able to bring the arrested persons to the Cebu City Police Office.

Police said three big packs were recovered from those who were caught sniffing shabu.

In barangay Bolinawan, Carcar City,  anti-narcotics police arrested Noli Indiola after he sold two small packs of suspected shabu to a poseur buyer.

Two more big packs were seized from him according to members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7).

PDEA-7 said P500 in marked money was also recovered from Indiola.

Charges were filed yesterday against the arrested persons./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON