SUSPECTED big-time traffickers yielded P476,000 worth of “shabu” (crystal meth) when they were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Villanueva town in Misamis Oriental, early last week (August 29), police said, today.
An operation led by the police resulted in the arrest of a high-value target involved in drug trafficking in the region.
The joint effort between PNP Villanueva Municipal Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confiscated seventy grams of suspected illegal drugs, believed to be shabu, with a street value of P476,000.
The operation led to the apprehension of two individuals: Eurem Alejaga Halaran, also known as Bongkoy, from Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, and John Paul Taban Abejo from Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.
During the operation, law enforcement officials discovered a plastic container with eleven pieces of heat-sealed elongated transparent sachets containing a white crystalline substance, suspected to be shabu, in Abejo's possession.
Halaran, on the other hand, was found with a Winston cigarette pack containing seven assorted sizes of heat-sealed elongated sachets filled with a similar white crystalline substance, believed to be shabu.
Additionally, items such as a digital weighing scale, a Huawei cellphone, disposable lighters, an improvised pipe, and marked money amounting to one thousand pesos were also confiscated from Halaran.
The primary target of the operation was Eurem Halaran alias Bongkoy due to his prior record in drug-related offenses and multiple previous arrests.
John Paul Abejo had been under surveillance for three months, and his trusted aide was apprehended before his arrest.
PNP Misamis Oriental Provincial Director Police Colonel Cholijun P. Caduyac expressed his appreciation for the successful operation and commended the Municipal Police Head of Villanueva, PMaj Renz Marion Serrano, and his team for apprehending the suspects.
Caduyac emphasized his commitment to the people of Misamis Oriental and his determination to reduce drug supply through arrests.
He assured the public that decisive actions would be taken to combat the drug problem in the region.
Following the incident, the Caduyac learned that the Municipal Police Chief was injured while trying to apprehend one of the suspects who resisted arrest.
Caduyac reiterated his support for law enforcement officers when they perform their duties by regulations and mandates, especially in combating illegal drugs and criminal activities.
The PNP Misamis Oriental Provincial Office urges individuals involved in illegal drugs to surrender to the police.
They also encourage the public to report any illegal activities or crimes in their communities. The PNP vows to fulfill its oath to serve and protect the people of Misamis Oriental.
