Police arrest 14 alleged shabu users, dealers in Cebu
By CARMI CAVANLIT, ABS-CBN Central Visayas | 04/06/2009 9:31 PM
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Two suspected drug pushers and 12 alleged drug users were arrested by members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 7 (PDEA-7) in a buy-bust operation at an allegedly notorious drug den in Barangay Pasilin in Cebu City.
John Rey Chavez, 28, along with Arthur Ybanez, were arrested by authorities after they allegedly sold an undercover policeman two packs of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride). Chavez, however, vehemently denied the allegations, insisting that he was only a pedicab driver.
Authorities also caught six Cebu nursing students and six residents of Barangay Pasil allegedly engaged in a drug session including Eljoe Mier, Alvin Taran, Ariel Quiliope, Christopher Roy, Cecilio Otero, Juanito Sariola, Gwendryn Canares, Jersone Armecia, Dominic Cojen, Ralph Tamelini, and Sunshine Alicaya.
PDEA-7 reportedly recovered from the suspects P200 worth of marked bills, P200 more believed to be the proceeds from the illegal drug operation as well as nine packs of white crystalline substances believed to be shabu. Samples of the substance were submitted to the Cebu City Police Crime Laboratory for examination.
In an interview with ABS-CBN, PDEA Information Officer Jessie Tabanao said the suspects are considered level 3 drug pushers in the area and their residence was allegedly the hottest drug den in the entire barangay. Tabanao said the suspects were being monitored for months prior to the drug raid.
The suspects were temporarily detained at the PDEA Office. They are set to face charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 or Republic Act 9165.
