2 ‘new players’ in drug trade, including widow, fall in raid

Suspects are new players in the drug trade, official said

A widow and her transgender cohort were arrested in an operation in Barangay Canjulao, Lapu-Lapu City last Sunday night.

Through the help of drug surrenderers, elements of the Lapu-Lapu Police Station 3 were able to locate Letecia “Lete” Garcia, 50, an alleged drug pusher in the barangay.

The police team, led by Chief Insp. Jaime Tolentino, caught Garcia along with Enrique “Dona” Moradas, 35, at 10:15 p.m. in Purok Caimito.

“Newly-identified ni namo. Ang sur- renderers mo- text sa office mo- inform kinsa ang bag-ong involved sa pamaligya (The suspects are new players in the illegal drug trade.

“The drug surrenderers texted the office about those who are new in the illegal drug trade),” Tolentino said.

During the operation, Garcia received the P200 pesos from a police decoy and instructed Moradas to hand her the sachet of shabu. Garcia then gave the item to the poseur buyer.

Authorities recovered the P200 buybust money from Garcia.

Another 10 sachets of suspected shabu were also seized from Moradas, who hid these inside a coin purse.

According to Garcia, she sold drugs because of poverty.

During meetings, Tolentino said, the officials of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council always mentioned Garcia for selling prohibited drugs.

He said Garcia and Moradas had long been partners in the illegal business.

The two suspects were detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office holding cell.

Police will file the criminal charges against the suspects today.