Shootout mars drug buy- bust

A woman was wounded in a shootout between police and illegal drug suspects in barangay Pulang Bato, Cebu City.

Marian Dhel Dy, 26, sustained a graze wound in the shoulder.

Police later arrested Dy and her alleged cohorts in illegal drug activities identified as Alfredo Ardiente, Jr., his live-in-partner and a relative of Marian, Mitzi Miñoza and Rene Padayogdog.

Police said the subject of the raid was Marian’s husband Carlos Dy, who managed to escape after the shootout.

Insp. Armando Labora said the group was capable of selling at least P2.5 million worth of shabu a week.

Labora, chief of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group, led the buy-bust operation against the suspects past noon last Monday.

Police said it was Ardiente who met the poseur-buyer while the other suspects stayed inside a Honda Civic car with plate number XBV-954.

Police said the poseur-buyer bought 2.5 grams shabu worth P5,000 from the suspects.

When the shabu and money changed hands, the poseur-buyer made a pre-arranged signal.

Labora and his team moved in but someone  who hid behind the suspects’  car fired at them. Police retaliated and hit Marian.

Ardiente rushed to the car. The suspects drove off but the car they rode on hit a multicab allowing the policemen to corner them.

Police said Carlos was able to jump off the car and escaped.

Carlos’s wife was brought to a hospital for treatment. She was later released.

Police said they seized from the suspects a medium size pack of shabu and a .45 pistol with six bullets.

Charges of possession of illegal drugs, illegal possession of a firearm and frustrated homicide will be filed against the suspects.

Police said the suspects will be subjected to a paraffin test to find out who among them fired a shot at the arresting team.