Boarding house owner nabbed in Roxas drug bust

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A boarding house owner and former nurse was arrested Wednesday afternoon, November 12, in a buy-bust operation conducted inside his residence in Barangay XI.

Police identified the suspect as Reyfredo C. Barruela, 56, a resident of the said barangay.

Authorities said Barruela sold a sachet of suspected shabu to a police poseur-buyer during the sting operation.

Recovered from his possession were PHP 7,000 in marked buy-bust money and two additional sachets of suspected shabu weighing 14 grams, with an estimated standard drug price of PHP 95,200.

The operation was conducted by the Roxas City Police Station Drug Enforcement Team and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Police records showed the suspect was previously charged with alarms and scandal and for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, though the case was dismissed.

He is currently under the custody of the Roxas City Police while charges for violating RA 9165 are being prepared against him.

A female barangay kagawad said their village was being considered for drug-cleared status, but the latest arrest may delay the declaration.

Police said Barruela manages the boarding house left by his parents, who are currently abroad.

Kagawad Annabel Detangco shared that several tenants were alarmed in previous incidents when the landlord allegedly went wild while holding a bladed weapon.

Meanwhile, another suspect classified as a street-level individual was arrested in a separate buy-bust operation in Barangay Salocon, Panitan, Capiz, also on Wednesday afternoon.

Police identified the suspect as Ronmar Deocampo Seguiban, alias “Moy-moy,” 18, of Poblacion Ilaya, Panitan.

Recovered from him were six sachets of suspected shabu and PHP 500 in buy-bust money.

Authorities said he was previously arrested in 2023 for a similar offense but was released because he was a minor at the time.

Seguiban admitted using and owning the illegal drugs found in his possession.

He is currently detained at the Panitan Police Station and will face charges for violating RA 9165.