Two nabbed for gun-running, P149-K worth of ‘shabu’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City –  Two persons, including a teenager, were arrested for gun-running activity and illegal possession of dangerous drugs at Purok Dondonay, Barangay Tapi,  Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental yesterday.

The subject of the buy-bust operation against illegal possession of firearm and ammunition was Ivan Lazarito, 36, of the said village, while Zedrich Bohol, 18, also of the said barangay, was allegedly caught inside the former’s house with illegal drugs.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Alvimar Flores, Kabankalan City police chief, said they received complaints against Lazarito for alleged illegal discharge of firearm, prompting them to launch the operation.

Aside from that, Flores said that Lazarito also allegedly gathers children in the barangay to show off his guns.

“Gina tipon niya daw ang mga bata sa iya balay kag gina hambalan na proteksiyunan niya kay may armas siya,” the police chief added.

Flores said that it was Lazarito’s third apprehension, as he was previously arrested for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, and was also involved in a fatal hacking incident.

But Lazarito was able to settle the case on hacking, and he is under probation for his offense on loose firearm, Flores said.

Police recovered from Lazarito a. 45-caliber pistol with a magazine loaded with 10 live ammunition, and the P3,500 marked money.

Flores said they will have to check first if the recovered firearm is a loose firearm or not.

Also, Flores said that 21 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 22 grams worth P149,600 and drug paraphernalia were confiscated from Bohol, who is a student.

Flores said they are monitoring Bohol, as he is considered a street-level individual.

Charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591 or Comprehensive Firearm and Ammunition Law will be filed against Lazarito, while Bohol will be charged for violation of RA 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.