DISMISSED COP-CUM-DRUG PEDDLER BUSTED IN QUEZON, OVER P700K  SHABU SEIZED

BY LEIZEIL AMPELOQUIO

A DISMISSED police officer tagged as a “high-value individual” (HVI) on Friday was arrested following the confiscation of over P700,000 shabu in a search operation in Bgy. Buensuceso, Gumaca, Quezon.

Quezon police director Col. Romulo Albacea said arrested was alias “Joe,” 58, a resident of the village.

“Joe” yielded 12 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing 34.8 grams of shabu with a street value of  P709,920.

Albacea said that operatives of the Gumaca Police Station under Maj. Arjon Oxina launched the sting  at 11:37 a.m. based on a search warrant issued by Gumaca Regional Trial Court, Fourth Judicial Region, Branch 172 Judge Michael Vito.

Oxina said it took them weeks doing surveillance on the suspect’s house before they finally applied for a search warrant.

According to the official, also seized during the operation were one  improvised glass tooter, six live ammunition for cal. .45 pistol and a digital weighing scale.

Oxina said the suspect has been dismissed from the police service after he went on absent without official leave or AWOL.

Following the arrest of the suspect, Oxina expressed belief that drug peddling in the town will be reduced.

Oxina vowed to cripple the remaining drug peddlers to make Gumaca a drug- free municipality.