Gingoog City raid' yields drugs, firearms, bullets
AUTHORITIES have seized suspected illegal drugs, firearms and bullets in a joint police operation in Pangasihan village, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental on Monday night, Oct. 2.
Armed with a search warrant, the joint police forces raided the house of the suspect identified as Virgilio Surban of said barangay.
The operation was carried out by the Gingoog City Police, personnel of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) and Regional Public Safety Battalion, and the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of Misamis Oriental.
Police confiscated a caliber .22 rifle inside the suspect's bedroom, a caliber 45 pistol, a sound suppressor for caliber 45, five sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride locally known as `shabu' placed inside a metal box, nine empty cellophane with shabu residue and several ammunitions and illegal drug paraphernalia.
Senior Inspector Corrine Mae Estigoy, spokesperson of Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office, said operatives conducted a buy-bust first prior to the suspect’s arrest.
"Nag-conduct sa una ang police ayha nag-implement sa search warrant against the same suspect. Noted gyud na siya sa Gingoog and daghan siya og connection. Gikan sa CDO and Butuan ang iyang supply," Estigoy said.
Estigoy said the confiscation of firearms and ammunition were incidental as a result of the lawful search.
Police said the suspect was a known drug personality who used to distribute shabu in the entire city of Gingoog.
The suspect reportedly revealed names of those who supply him with the prohibited drugs from Cagayan de Oro City and Butuan City.
Estigoy added a self-confessed drug dependent, who is connected with the suspect, submits to the police on Wednesday, October 4, and revealed more information pertaining to the local drug trade in Gingoog.