3 high-value drug suspects nabbed in Roxas raids

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Three high-value individuals (HVIs) were arrested in separate anti-drug operations Tuesday evening, Dec. 2, in Barangays Dumolog and Lawaan.

In Barangay Dumolog, authorities recovered an estimated PHP 115,600 worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation targeting a known HVI.

The suspect, identified as Hereynold Firmo, alias “Moraco,” 44, was arrested by joint forces from the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the Roxas City Police and the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) around 7 p.m. at Sitio Proper in Barangay Dumolog.

Police said Firmo was on the Philippine National Police’s priority target list.

Seized from him were two sachets of suspected shabu weighing 17 grams and PHP 3,000 in marked money.

Firmo is currently under the custody of the Roxas City Police. Charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against him.

He denied ownership of the recovered items and claimed the drugs were planted. He also alleged that police officers beat him during the arrest.

The operatives denied his claims.

Firmo was previously arrested in a buy-bust operation in Dumalag town but was released through a plea bargaining agreement.

Punong Barangay Stephen Medina of Dumolog confirmed that Firmo had been involved in the illegal drug trade and was included in the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) list of drug surrenderees.

Lt. Col. Ricardo Jomuad Jr. said intelligence reports indicate Firmo is allegedly a drug courier who had been the subject of operations by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU).

Firmo maintained he had stopped engaging in illegal drug activities and repeated his claim that the evidence was planted.

Meanwhile, around 9:40 p.m. in Barangay Lawaan, the Capiz Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit (PPDEU) arrested two women considered HVIs in another buy-bust operation.

The suspects were identified as alias “Levi,” 33, of Barangay Cagay, and alias “Rena,” 28, of San Jose, both residents of Roxas City.

Authorities recovered approximately 70 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 476,000 and one Suzuki Raider 150 motorcycle.

Police said one gram of shabu has a street value of about PHP 8,000.

Alias “Levi” had previously been jailed for the same offense but was released under a plea bargaining agreement.

The operation was conducted by the Capiz PPDEU with assistance from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6 (PDEA RO-6).

Both suspects are in the custody of the Roxas City Police Station and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165.