Alba said the latest drug sting was conducted on Tuesday evening, November 1, that resulted in the arrest of Christian Amistad Peña, 32, and his cohort, Burt Jason Faburada Turno, 36, in Barangay Mabolo in Cebu City.
The suspects, who yielded 3,225 grams of shabu, valued at P21.9 million, were residents of Sitio Cahipa, Barangay Hipodromo.
Alba said Peña, a former overseas Filipino worker, had been engaged in the illegal drugs trade since September. Turno serves as his courier within the city.
He said Peña can dispose of three to five kilos of shabu monthly in Barangays Hipodromo, Carreta, Mabolo, and other neighboring barangays in the city.
On Monday, police seized nearly P28 million worth of shabu in a separate drug operation.
Alba said that a joint operation conducted by the Provincial Intelligence Unit, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and Consolacion Municipal Police Station under Cebu Police Provincial Police resulted in the arrest of Dondonico Pacot Duaban in West Binabag, Barangay Tayud.
Recovered from Duaban were two kilograms of shabu with an estimated street value of P13.6 million.
Operatives also arrested Arceli Auron Cortez, 43, during a buy-bust operation in Soong, Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City. Recovered from her were 2,100 grams of shabu worth P14.2 million.
Cortez said her source came from a certain “Balo,” who was previously detained in Mandaue City Jail.
Alba said Duaban was considered a high-value drug suspect, while Cortez has been included in their drugs watchlist.
“The robust and rigorous enforcement actions of our police show that illegal drugs remain a clear and present threat in our society. Hence, we are committed to keeping our streets safe from drugs. Illegal drugs have no place in Central Visayas,” Alba said in a statement. (SunStar Philippines)