Shabu packs worth P1 million seized

Packs of suspected shabu weighing 1.2 kilos were seized and four persons, including a woman, were arrested in a buy-bust operation in barangay Villagonzallo II, Cebu City, Wednesday night.

Police said the seized drugs, still subject to full laboratory examination, were worth over P1 million on the street.

Arrested were Allan Ygot, 43; Joel Dela Cruz, 24; Charlie Garciso, 26; and Evangeline Aquino, 40.

Police said the three men were arrested after selling shabu to a poseur buyer while Aquino was caught repacking the drugs in a house owned by his brother Melchor “Echoy” Dela Cruz who was the alleged leader of the group.

Melchor eluded arrest during the operation. Joel is Melchor’s nephew.

Senior Insp. Henrix Bancoleta of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas, said Melchor was considered a level 2 drug pusher who could sell at least 200 grams of shabu a week.

Police said that during the operation, Melchor sold a medium pack of suspected shabu worth P25,000 to a poseur-buyer.

Police said a wad of fake paper bills with genuine P1,000 bills on top were used as buy-bust money.

When Melchor noticed the presence of the police, he ran off.

Police gave chase but Melchor disappeared into the sitio.

Bancoleta said the lights went off in the house when the police were inside.

When light was restored, police made arrests.

Bancoleta said people were seen climbing the ceiling of the house, possibly cohorts who tried to help the suspects escape.

Confiscated were two medium sachets of suspected shabu worth P25,000 each and two big packs worth P500,000 each.

The seized drugs weighed around 1,200 grams.

The arrested persons were detained at the PRO-7.