Seven caught in drug bust

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Seven persons were arrested Saturday afternoon in a drug buy-bust operation by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) Capiz, and Provincial Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Capiz and Aklan at Sitio Casandra in Barangay Punta Tabuc here.

Police identified the suspects as Rover Arce Altamia, 41; Richmond Aniero, 22; Brian Arce Altamia, 22; Anthony Magarzo Albaladejo, 35; all of Sitio Railway, Brgy. Punta Tabuc, Roxas City; Antonio Dela Cruz Aponio, 38, of Brgy. Cabugao, Roxas City; Lolito Barredo Valencia, 45; of Brgy. San Jose, Roxas City; and Joel Grapani Abayon, 52, of Brgy. Baybay, Roxas City.

Altamia was the subject of the operation while the six others were identified as visitors in the house that served as an alleged drug den.

According to Investigation Agent III Jose Ramir Batuigas, Assistant Provincial Officer of PDEA Aklan, they have been monitoring the target area which is near another house that was raided earlier by local authorities also for illegal drugs.

Punong barangay Nestor Buenviaje of Punta Tabuc said he received reports that the place was an alleged drug den.

Buenviaje even called the attention of the suspects to stop their illegal activities, but they ignored him.

Recovered from the suspects were 12 sachets of suspected shabu valued at P100,000; a vial with suspected marijuana leaves; a sachet of suspected marijuana; and the P500 marked money.

The suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.)

The suspects are in the custody of the Roxas City PNP.