Village alderman falls in buy-bust operations

By LITO RULONA,
Correspondent

Operatives of the Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 10) here arrested a barangay kagawad during buy-bust operation for allegedly selling shabu in Barangay Solana, Misamis Oriental on Tuesday evening.

Narcotics agent Ben Kalibre (code name) identified the suspect as Barangay Kagawad Socrates Emmanuel Cuercuis, Jr., 46, and a resident and local official of Barangay Solana, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.

Seized from his possession is are an 20 grams of suspected shabu with street value of P100 thousand packed in four big packets and other small heat sealed sachets, lighter, bamboo clipper, improvised scope, tooter, empty transparent sachets used for repacking of the suspected shabu, and a caliber .45 pistol with three live ammunition.

PDEA agents also recovered the P500 bill used as marked money. The suspect also failed to present pertinent documents in handling and carrying of firearms.

Cuercuis is also targeted by the National Police (PNP) Police Provincial Command in Misamis Oriental headed by Senior Supt. Sukarno Alavarez for drug trafficking.

“For the past few months we were closely monitoring the barangay kagawad’s alleged drug deals and the possession of illegal drugs until we finalized for the buy-bust operation. Nagka-kusog iyang illegal drug operation sa ilang area,” he said.

Cuercuis refused to comment on the issue when this paper tried to get comment from him inside PDEA detaintion cell.

Kalibre said they preparing several cases against the suspect related to illegal possession and selling of illegal drugs.

“We will also file separate cases of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition to be filed before the Provincial Prosecution Office,” he added.

He said during the interrogation, the suspect divulged names of some of his contacts in selling illegal drugs in their area and the PDEA 10 is now currently tracing the suspected individuals.