Buy-bust operations net two men

Two men suspected of selling illegal drugs in Cebu and Central Visayas were arrested in separate buy-bust operations last Tuesday night.

First to be arrested was John Lloyd Baritua, whose father Leonedes was allegedly a level two drug pusher capable of selling illegal drugs worth P100,000 a week, said police.

Leonedes was the subject of a buy-bust operation of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) of Cebu Provincial Police Office in sitio Cambontan, Carcar City, south Cebu.

Police said the father and son transacted with a poseur buyer outside their house.

When the sale was consummated, police moved in but Leonedes managed to flee.

Police arrested John Lloyd, who yielded 15 sachets of suspected shabu worth P4,500; three P100 bills; a weighing scale; a Nokia cellphone; a .45 pistol with 12 bullets and drug paraphernalia.

Insp. Rogelio Amoroso, deputy chief of PIB, said a confiscated cell phone rang while they were doing an inventory of the seized items.

A policeman answered the call and pretended that he was Leonedes.

It was later learned that the caller was Julius Cubos Lopez, whom police said was a level three drug pusher who sold shabu in Region 7.

Police said Lopez was in the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas’ list of persons involved in selling drugs in Region 7.

During the phone conversation, Lopez agreed to deliver drugs to Leonedes.

Police said Lopez arrived in sitio Tugas on board a Chevrolet Optra with plate number YHB-605.

Police said Lopez was arrested after he handed over a big pack of suspected shabu worth P120,000 to a police asset.

Police said charges will be filed against Lopez, John Lloyd and Leonedes./CORRESPONDENT GABRIEL C. BONJOC.