'JAGUAR HEIR' CAUGHT WITH 5 KILOS OF SHABU IN TALISAY CITY SUBDIVISION
PDEA 7 confirmed 27-year-old Marwin Jayme Abelgas's involvement in drug trafficking after a month-long surveillance and added that the suspect's name surfaced after the arrest of his underlings
Marwin Jayme Abelgas, 27, was released from the Cebu City Jail last year after the court dropped the drug peddling case filed against him in 2010. A team from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested him again yesterday morning in a subdivision in Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City, where they reported finding five kilos of shabu. Abelgas admitted that he knew suspected drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz, being from Duljo Fatima himself, but denied allegations he was in the illegal drug trade, too. Four others were arrested along with him. The PDEA 7 said that Abelgas, speaking with their decoy, had agreed to deliver P300,000 worth of shabu.
A new drug leader reportedly emerged to take over the reins of drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz's operations after the latter was killed last year.
But suspect Marwin Jayme Abelgas's alleged reign was short-lived.
Anti-narcotics agents caught the 27-year-old with five kilos of white crystals believed to be shabu inside a subdivision in Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City yesterday morning.
The haul had a street value of around P20 million.
The operation came two days after President Rodrigo Duterte announced that Cebu has the highest usage rate for illegal drugs.
“He's (Abelgas) a major drug distributor. As a level three drug personality, he can dispose of at least five kilos of shabu per week. Also, he wouldn't entertain orders with just less than 100 grams,” said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz.
The official said Abelgas might have gotten his shabu from Diaz's supplier.
Ruiz said they confirmed Abelgas's involvement in drug trafficking after a month-long surveillance, adding that the suspect's name surfaced after the arrest of his underlings.
“We got information from the cell phones we confiscated, and from there, we conducted an indepth investigation against him,” he said.
Denial
PDEA 7 communicated with Abelgas, who agreed to deliver a medium-size pack of shabu worth P300,000 to a police de- coy at phase 2 of Deca Homes in Dumlog past 9 a.m.
Operatives arrested him, after the deal was closed.
Ten big packs of suspected shabu weighing five kilos, three other packs containing 0.09 grams of shabu, a weighing scale, and four ATM cards were seized from the suspect.
Abelgas admitted knowing Diaz because he is a resident of Duljo Fatima, but he denied he is a big-time drug trader.
Two unidentified gunmen killed Abelgas's uncle Roland Abelgas, who was also an alleged drug lord and had links with Diaz, on May 29, 2015.
Aside from Abelgas, his alleged cohorts Kate Estrera, 23; Juvan Torres, 28; Wyett Arceo, 19; and Daphni Rose Flores, 26, were also arrested.
Abelgas denied he is the leader of the Abelgas Group, replacing his uncle. The other suspects, he said, have no involvement in the drug trafficking.
“Di na akoa (That's not mine),” said Abelgas.
Thursday arrest
He admitted selling shabu before, but only on a small-scale.
Police arrested Abelgas in 2010 for selling illegal drugs. He was released from the Cebu City Jail last year, after the court dismissed the drug charges against him.
The suspect said he decided to sell shabu again, so he could provide for his family's needs.
“Tungod lagi sa kawad- on (Poverty forced me to engage in the illegal drug trade),” said Abelgas.
Last Thursday afternoon, PDEA arrested nine suspected drug personalities and dismantled a drug den in Villagonzalo 2, Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.
Seized during the operation were P100,000 worth of suspected shabu.
Suspected drug pusher Zavier Alesna, a high-value target, was taken into custody along with suspected junkies Anton Jan Regis, Alberto Alecer, Raymond Neri, Roel Sinadjan, Amado Omolon, John Michael Caverte, Alex Solon and Michael del Mar.
Complaints of violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002, will be filed against the suspects.