Checkpoint dodger nabbed for ‘shabu’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A computer technician was arrested early morning of Feb. 7 for possession of illegal drugs in Estancia, Iloilo.

Misfortune befell Al Gallardo, 28, of Poblacion, Estancia, when he tried to skirt a police checkpoint in Barangay Cano-an around 1:20 a.m. on Wednesday.

Captain Hector Ayagan, Estancia police chief, said officers at the checkpoint flagged down Gallardo who was driving a motorcycle.

But instead of pulling over, he made a U-turn.

He did not succeed in evading policemen as several barangay tanod quickly blocked him.

Ayagan said police asked for his driver’s license and the motorcycle’s documents noting that it had no license plate.

Police eventually searched him and his motorcycle. They then recovered four sachets of suspected shabu inside his vehicle’s utility box.

Ayagan said the seized shabu weighed around 15 grams valued at P102,000.

Ayagan revealed that Gallardo has been on their watchlist as a street-level pusher.

It was his first arrest for a drug-related offense.

The suspect is now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

COUPLE FALLS IN DRUG STING

Meanwhile, another live-in couple was arrested in a police anti-narcotics operation afternoon of Feb. 6 in Molo, Iloilo City.

Police identified the pair as Michael Bryan Alvarez, 33, of Barangay Tanza Baybay, City Proper, Iloilo City; and Crystal Joy Ascura, 23, of Barangay Merced, Banate, Iloilo.

They were nabbed at Zone 3, Brgy. Calumpang, Molo for allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P6,000 in a buy-bust operation spearhead by the Iloilo City Police Station 4.

After their arrest, police also seized eight more sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug items.

Major Marlyn Roquero, ICPS4 chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 60 grams with a standard drug price of P408,000.

Roquero said the couple conducts their transactions online. It was easier for them since Alvarez is an avid online gamer.

Police conducted a two-week surveillance operation before the duo was finally collared.

Alvarez and Sorongon had no previous drug-related arrests. They were not even on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) list of illegal drug personalities.

The two suspects are now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).