Rider nabbed in PHP 1M Lapuz drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A motorcycle taxi driver was arrested while his two cohorts escaped during a police anti-illegal drug operation late evening on June 8 in Lapuz Sur, Iloilo City.

Alias Chad, 29, of Savannah Subdivision, Barangay Abilay Norte, Oton, Iloilo, was apprehended following a buy-bust operation in Barangay Rizal, Lapuz Sur.

His two cohorts, motorcycle taxi drivers MacMac and Niko, escaped.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit, together with personnel from the ICPO SWAT Team, the Iloilo City Police Station 8, and the Iloilo Maritime Police Station, apprehended the suspect after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 12,000.

He also yielded 13 more sachets and two knot-tied packs of suspected shabu.

Capt. Roque Gimeno III, ICPO-CDEU chief, said the seized shabu weighed around 150 grams and had a standard drug price of PHP 1,020,000.

Police operatives also confiscated a .45 caliber pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition, a fired cartridge case from a .45 caliber pistol, and several non-drug items.

Gimeno said Chad could have been with four companions during the operation.

However, only MacMac and Niko went with him during the actual drug buy-bust, while their two other companions may have acted as backup and rode in a white sedan that was seen speeding off during the arrest.

Chad and Niko allegedly transacted with the civilian informant and the police poseur-buyer.

When Chad noticed that he was being entrapped, he pulled a gun and tried to shoot the civilian informant.

The police poseur-buyer quickly parried the gun attack.

The bullet hit the ground.

When other police operatives arrived in the area, MacMac also allegedly fired at them but hit no one.

MacMac and Niko eluded arrest by driving off on their respective motorcycles.

Chad was not quick enough to evade arrest.

Gimeno said Chad and six other friends formed a group identifying themselves as motorcycle taxi drivers.

However, he said they used this as a front to covertly transport illegal drugs.

Gimeno said the group had been under monitoring for three months before the operation was conducted.

Chad, MacMac, and Niko will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

They will also be charged with violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and attempted homicide.