Scrap buyer faces illegal drug raps

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A 37-year-old scrap buyer is facing illegal drug cases following his arrest Friday afternoon last week in a drug buy-bust operation.

Charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 will be filed today, Dec. 13, 2021 before the City Prosecutors Office against Jerry Brillo Valerio of Brgy. Cagay here.

The team from the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) conducted a drug bust at Sitio Cassandra, Barangay Punta Tabuc, Roxas City about 3:50 p.m. Friday which led to Valerio’s arrest.

Recovered from Valerio were a sachet of suspected shabu, two empty plastic sachets, P7,000 marked money, and a cellphone.

According to PDEU team leader, Police Lt. John Mark Jambalos, Valerio was placed under surveillance for a week before he was nabbed.

Jambalos said the suspect was arrested in 2017 for the same offense but he was freed through plea bargaining agreement in April 2021.

Valerio denied the accusation saying he was playing “tumbo” or cara y cruz when the buy-bust was conducted.

He admitted using illegal drugs but denied he was into the illegal drug trade.