Law enforcers on Tuesday evening scored its biggest illegal drugs haul so far in Negros Oriental following the arrest of a suspected big time drug pusher and a runner during twin buy-bust operations in the capital city of Dumaguete.
Seized from the two suspects were ten big transparent plastic sachets or “bolto” of white crystalline powder and granules, believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu”, with a total weight of 50 grams and worth P590,000 based on the Dangerous Drugs Board value of the prohibited drug, said Insp. Janelito Marquez, head of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group.
A “bolto” is the street slang for illegal drugs packaging weighing five grams each, Marquez explained. A gram of shabu based on DDB value is pegged at P11,800 while street value varies, starting from P8,500 per gram, depending on the availability of the prohibited drug in the local market.
The suspects were identified as May Flor Buncalan Saraña, alias Darlene, 24, single, a resident of Northern Junob and Neil Pinili Dejos, 22, single, a resident of Colon St. Ext. in Taclobo, all in Dumaguete City.
Saraña is the alleged “trusted” dealer of illegal drugs in the city, with her source initially identified as a suspected drug lord now incarcerated at the national jail in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, while Dejos is purportedly her runner, disclosed Insp. Marquez.
Alleged operations are being carried out remotely, more likely through transactions over the mobile phone and transport via sea, air and land, Marquez said.
The girl was under close surveillance for several months and in fact, last year, undercover agents had transacted with her for 100 grams of shabu at a local hotel but the deal was not consummated as the law enforcers could not produce the huge sum of money needed for the buy bust, Marquez said.
Shortly before midnight Sunday evening, joint operatives of the PAIDSOTG, led by Insp. Marquez, the National Bureau of Investigation led by provincial head Atty. Dominador Cimafranca, and the Special Operations Group of the Philippine National Police, swooped down on the two suspects in a dragnet operation.
In the first buy-bust transaction, suspect Neil Dejos allegedly delivered seven plastic sachets of “shabu” to undercover operatives, after which he was immediately placed under arrest.
Upon his arrest, Dejos disclosed to authorities his alleged source, referring to Saraña, whom he was told to call via mobile phone for more shabu delivery as law enforcers set up an entrapment for her.
Saraña fell in the hands of authorities in a subsequent buy bust operation in Northern Junob, at which three transparent plastic sachets were seized from her, Marquez said.
Criminal charges in violation of Sec. 5 (selling) in relation to Sec. 26 (conspiracy) of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, are to be filed Wednesday afternoon against the two suspects, who are now detained at the Dumaguete City police station’s lock-up facility. (PNA) LAP/Judy F. Partlow
