Fisherman, two minors yield P1.1-M worth of ‘shabu’, firearms

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A fisherman and two minors were arrested by police operatives in a buy-bust operation that allegedly yielded 170 grams of suspected shabu worth P1,156,000 at Sitio Dacutan Dacu, Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental yesterday.

Police identified the subject of the operation as Elmer Abela Jr., 42, of the said village, while the names of his two alleged drug runners aged 16 were withheld.

Major Rhea Sarah Villanueva, deputy chief of Silay City Police Station, said they received information about the alleged illegal activity of Abela last year.

They placed him under surveillance until they were able to launch the operation against him yesterday.

Villanueva said the suspect’s clients need to ride a boat to reach his house, which is situated at sea.

Police recovered from him the P6,000 marked money, 20 sachets of suspected shabu, an improvised tooter, a handmade shotgun, a caliber. 38 revolver, and a plastic bottle containing ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil).

Villanueva said the ANFO can be used to develop explosives. He is considered “armed and dangerous,” she added.

The two minors were turned over to the Silay City Youth Center.

Villanueva, however, said that these minors will also be charged with conspiracy, while Abela will face drug charges and additional cases for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Meanwhile, two teenagers, including a minor, were also arrested in a drug bust for the confiscation of three grams of suspected shabu worth P20,400 on Burgos Street, Barangay 1 Poblacion, Pontevedra town last Monday.

Police withheld the name of the subject aged 19, a resident of Barangay DSB, while his alleged cohort was a Grade 11 student aged 17, of Barangay Recreo.

Lieutenant Darryl Kuhutan, deputy chief of Pontevedra Municipal Police Station, said they have been monitoring the 19-year-old boy since last year following information about his alleged illegal activity.

Police also recovered from them the P500 marked money, an improvised tooter, and other non-drug items.

Kuhutan said the minor was also arrested since he had an idea about the said illegal activity as he reportedly drives a tricycle or pedicab as the subject’s mode of transportation.

Kuhutan said that teenagers are being influenced and used by drug personalities as their runners.

“Kailangan nating sugpuin ito kasi may chance pa sila,” he added.