Cebu city drugstore owner selling Nubain arrested in buy-bust operation

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Anti-narcotics agents arrested on Thursday an owner of a pharmacy for selling nine ampules of Nubain to an undercover policeman in a drug bust operation.

Napoleon Ricamora, owner of Nars Pharmacy, tried to escape with his helper Calvin Klyne Cañete but they were finally collared at Cebu Business Park in a hot pursuit operation.

Ricamora, 28, a registered nurse, was detained at the office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) to face charges.

Levi Ortiz, PDEA-7 deputy regional director, said they conducted a test buy on Jan. 14 and purchased one ampule of Nubain—a prescription painkiller that is often abused by users—from Ricamora.

An undercover narcotic agent later ordered 30 more ampules from Ricamora who agreed to deliver them on Thursday near a hospital on Llorente Street, Cebu City.

Cañete was first to arrive about 2:40 p.m. Thursday and met with the PDEA agent. Ricamora then arrived on board his Toyota Fortuner.

The PDEA agent handed in P5,000 but Ricamora was only able to bring nine of the 30 ampules that were ordered earlier. He, however, sensed a bust.

He and Cañete then boarded a sports utility vehicle and sped off. PDEA agents chased the two and tried to shoot the SUV but missed.

The PDEA then coordinated with the Mobile Patrol Group, which alerted other police units in the city. Ricamora was finally collared at the Cebu Business Park.