Charges ready vs. 7 suspects in shabu raid
Seven persons who are allegedly part of a drug group operating in Iloilo City were arrested in an anti-narcotics raid Sunday afternoon at Brgy. Bakhaw, Mandurriao, which was earlier tagged as Iloilo City’s drug haven.
The drug raid has couples Ernie Demasangal, 34, and Ma. Luisa, 32; and Edward Demasangal; Ernie’s elder brother, as subjects.
But during the drug raid, joint elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Group (CAIDSOG) led by Chief Insp. Dande Deocampo also arrested Beverly Sanchez, 34, widow; Jersel Ajito, 18, of Brgy Bakhaw, Mandurriao district; Russel Ledonio, 27, of Brgy Rizal Pala-Pala, City Proper; and Reynold Arigorat, 35, of Brgy. Ma. Cristina, Jaro, who were allegedly caught in a pot session.
Sanchez is the niece of suspected drug lord Richard Prevendido, also a resident of Brgy. Bakhaw.
Recovered during the operation were several sachets of suspected shabu approximately weighing 42.3 grams; 3 used rolled aluminum foils; 5 improvised tooters; a digital weighing scale; 8 lighters; 6 Nokia mobile phones; assorted drug paraphernalia; cash money amounting P3,320.00; and P900 buy bust money.
According to PDEA regional director Paul Ledesma, the arrest of the suspects was a product of a tip they received from an informant.
“The informant told us the details we need to know. That’s why, we successfully launched the buy bust and arrested the suspects,” he added.
Ledesma noted that the “items” were still new.
The suspects were just pulverizing the shabu and repackaging it when they were arrested,
“Ang isa nila ka bulto is worth P32,000,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ernie admitted to his illegal drug business.
His reason? “Wala akong mahanap na trabaho, kaya dito na ako.”
Relatedly, Brgy. Capt. Ruby Gallano of Bakhaw assured his continued support and cooperation to the authorities’ anti-drug campaign.
She asserted to have repeatedly reminded and talked to her constituents about the illegal drug trade in the area.
In fact, she claimed that she even went house-to-house just to stress her point.
As this developed, charges are now being prepared against the seven suspects who are detained at the lock-up Cell of Police Station 5.
