PHP3-M Shabu Seized, Big Time Pusher Nabbed in Negros Oriental

Dumaguete City – A joint team of law enforcement operatives swooped down on an alleged big-time drug pusher in Siaton, Negros Oriental at dawn on Monday and seized some PHP3 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

The suspect, identified as Raffy Egera Cantiga of Barangay Malabuhan, Siaton town, did not resist arrest when the operatives served a search warrant issued against him by Negros Oriental Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Gerardo Paguio, Jr., dated May 25, 2016 around 5:50 a.m. Monday.

Acting provincial Philippine National Police (PNP) director Sr. Supt. Harris Fama, at a press conference Monday morning, disclosed that Cantiga was the subject of a long and tedious surveillance, casing and monitoring.

This is by far the biggest illegal drugs haul in Negros Oriental this year, as well as the biggest confiscation of “shabu” from just one person, Sr. Supt. Fama said.

Operatives seized during the search at Cantiga’s residence in Siaton three large transparent plastic packs and nine small plastic sachets of suspected shabu, both in granules and powder form, which were placed in a Ziploc plastic bag.

The “shabu”, weighing about 200 grams, was estimated at worth PHP2.9 million based on the Dangerous Drugs Board value, said Fama.

Also confiscated were a NORINCO Caliber .45 pistol without serial number and with six rounds of live ammunition in a magazine, a weighing scale, improvised tooters and burner, a pair of scissors, a roll of tin foil, disposable lighters, and other suspected illegal drugs paraphernalia, and PHP4,950.00 cash.

According to Sr. Supt. Fama, further intelligence gathering is underway to determine the source of the suspected shabu.

There is not much known about the suspect, whose name is not even in the regional watchlist of alleged drug personalities, said Fama. This is also the first time the Cantiga has been arrested in relation to the illegal drugs trade, he added.

Violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition are readied against the suspect for immediately filing.

Cantiga will be temporarily detained at the lock-up facility of the Dumaguete City police station pending further investigation and the filing of a complaint in court prior to his transfer to the Siaton jail facility, said Fama.

Police are also considering the possibility Cantiga might have other contacts in the illegal drugs trade as well as more “shabu” supply being distributed already in the local market.

The joint operation was carried out by personnel from the Provincial Intelligence Branch/Special Operations Group, led by Police Chief Inspector Benedick Poble, the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group led by Police Inspector Ryan Jay Orapa, the Siaton Police Station led by Police Chief Inspector Alvin Futalan, in coordination with the local team of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration, representatives from the Department of Justice and barangay officials.

The operation was supervised by Sr. Supt. Fama, who commended his men for a successful operation as he issued a warning to those engaged in the illegal drugs trade to surrender otherwise they will be dealt with the full force of the law. (PNA) BNB/JFP