Drug raid nets 3

POLICE arrested three drug suspects in a buy-bust operation inside a bar in barangay Pajo, Daanbantayan town, northern Cebu.

The illegal drug operation also led to the rescue of five under-aged girls working in a bar.

The arrested persons were identified as Ivan Lucero, Zosimo Olivar and Gaze Canales, all residents of Pajo.

Police said 105 sachets of suspected shabu worth P28,000 were recovered from the suspects.

SPO1 Reynaldo Solante of the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office posed as buyer and bought a pack of suspected shabu worth P300 from Lucero around 2 a.m. Saturday.

When police moved in, Lucero tried to run but was eventually cornered.

Police spotted Olivar and his companion Canales and frisked them.

The two were taken into police custody after packs of suspected shabu were recovered from their possessions, said Solante.

Solante said Olivar was previously arrested for illegal gambling charges.

Solante said during the operation, police noticed two girls working in the bar.

Police rescued the two girls aged between 15 and 16 who later tipped off the police that there were also minors working in a bar in barangay Hagnaya, San Remigio town.

Police conducted a follow-up operation and rescued three 16-year-old girls from the Hagnaya bar.

Solante said investigation is underway to determine why the girls were allowed to work in the bars despite being minors. /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA