4 nabbed in drug raid, P2.5M in ‘shabu’ seized

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – An alleged street level dealer-turned-high-value target, and his three alleged drug runners were arrested in a buy-bust that also led to the seizure of P2.5 million worth of suspected shabu inside a pension house at Barangay San Pedro, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental Sunday morning.

Among those arrested was the main target, Herme Jun Abalajon, 24, of Kabankalan City; and his cohorts Jomarie Ferrer, 21, of Barangay Enclaro; Joebel Siaotong, 31, of Barangay San Pedro; and Yan-Yan Comita, 31, of Kabankalan City.

Police Major Fernando Somblingo Jr., town police chief, said they placed Abalajon under surveillance for more than two months since he usually transfers from one municipality to another.

“Madulas kasi siya kaya nung gumawa na kami ng matinding intelligence monitoring, na corner na namin siya sa pension house,” he added.

Somblingo said the four suspects probably just finished holding an alleged “pot session” inside the room when they conducted the operation around 3:30 a.m.

Police recovered about 250 grams of suspected shabu sealed in a plastic and wrapped with a packing tape. The package was hidden under the bed.

Somblingo said the suspects were supposed to repack the contraband for distribution.

Authorities also confiscated some drug paraphernalia, the P1,000 marked money, and P1,650 cash.

Somblingo said the item was allegedly sourced from Cebu and was transported here via San Carlos City.

He said the item was probably supposed to be distributed in the neighboring city of Kabankalan for the Sinulog Festival this month, and other areas in the province.

Their mobility corridor is southern Negros, where they have more clients, he added.

Somblingo said Abalajon was considered a high value target because of the big volume of drugs recovered during the operation.

Somblingo said the four suspects will be charged for violation of Sections 5 (sale of dangerous drugs), 11 (illegal possession of dangerous drugs), 12 (illegal possession of drug paraphernalia), and 26 (conspiracy) of Republic Act of 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

All of them will also be charged for illegal drug use if results of the drug test turn out positive, he added.