Illegal drugs valued at approximately PHP 31,014,800.00, originating from Bohol, were incinerated at a thermal facility located at Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes on Junquera Street, Cebu City, Friday afternoon (June 7, 2024).
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), led by Regional Director for Region 7, Emerson Margate, and accompanied by representatives from the Philippine National Police through the Police Regional Office 7, Department of Justice, Public Attorney’s Office, civil society organizations, RTC judges, and media personnel, oversaw the destruction of the drugs, which was authorized by a court order.
Witnessing the event was a delegation from Bohol, including Art Evangelista, Executive Assistant to Governor Aris Aumentado for Peace, Order, and Public Safety, PLt. Col. Mark Gifter Sucalit, Deputy Provincial Director of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO), PMaj. Giovanne Abregani of the Bohol Forensics Unit, Crispin Orot and Florabel Arcamo from DOJ Bohol, and members of the Bohol media.
The haul included a total of 4561.8828 grams of shabu, 27.9500 grams of marijuana, and 20.00 grams of nalbuphine, all transported from Bohol to the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Cebu City for disposal.
The illegal substances, collected under court order from various sources within Bohol, were set to be destroyed by PDEA.
The breakdown of the drugs included 180.5500 grams of shabu from the Bohol Provincial Forensics Unit (BPFU), 27.9000 grams of marijuana from RTC Br. 51, 300.0018 grams of shabu from RTC Br. 4, 1025.2200 grams of shabu from BPFU, 451.2810 grams of shabu from RTC Br. 1, 331.6300 grams of shabu from RTC Br. 2, 132.6100 grams of shabu from RTC Br. 49, and 2140.5900 grams of shabu from BPFU.
In addition to the narcotics seized in Bohol, illegal drugs collected by PDEA under court orders from courts across Central Visayas were also destroyed.
Overall, the total value of the illegal drugs incinerated at the thermal facility in Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes, Cebu City, amounted to a staggering PHP 374,034,153.84.
Meanwhile, after a P6.7-million shabu was seized in Panglao last week, this time in a significant drug bust operation in Barangay San Isidro, Tagbilaran City on June 5, 2024, authorities seized drugs worth approximately P340,000.
The operation was a joint effort by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), police from Camp Dagohoy, Maritime Police, and Tagbilaran City Police Station.
The suspect, identified as Jobert Estoque, 44, from Barangay Taloto in Tagbilaran City, was apprehended during the operation.
A PDEA agent acted as a buyer and upon the completion of the transaction, Estoque was arrested.
Authorities confiscated around 50 grams of the alleged drug, shabu, from him. Estoque is now facing charges under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
On the same day, another buy-bust operation led to the arrest of Roderick Alberio, 42, from Barangay Pandol, Corella.
Authorities seized packets of alleged shabu worth around P2,740 from Alberio. He will also face charges under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
Drug Pusher from Maribojoc Arrested in Buy Bust Operation in Panglao
The suspect has been identified as Ellieson Mosquisa, a High Value Individual (HVI), 38 years old, single, and a resident of Purok 2, Brgy. Lincod, Maribojoc, Bohol.
The suspect was arrested in a buy bust operation conducted by the Panglao MPS Drug Enforcement Unit led by PMaj. John Khalev Sanchez, chief of police, at Purok 4, Poblacion, Panglao around 6:25 last night, June 6, 2024.
Seized from the suspect were 2 medium sachets and one large sachet believed to contain shabu.
The seized suspected shabu is estimated to weigh around 35 grams with a Standard Drug Price of PHP 238,000.00.
The suspect is currently detained at the Panglao MPS lock up jail while the evidence has been submitted to the Bohol Forensics Unit for examination and custody.
The Panglao police are set to file charges against the suspect for violation of section 5 and 11, article 2 of R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 at the Provincial Prosecutors Office.