New players take over old trade

Police Regional Office-Central Visayas Director Noli Taliño said there is a new leading drug lord operating in the region.

The official added the personality is an old player based in Cebu.

Taliño, however, did not divulge the name of the drug lord, saying they are developing the case against the personality.

He said the drug lord has several connections.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz said there are 19 suspected drug lords operating in the region.

The identified drug lords are a mixture of old and new players, who are being monitored by the agency. Three of these personalities are based in Cebu, while the rest are operating in different areas in Cebu.

Ruiz said these personalities can dispose at least a kilo of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, per week.

Arrested

PDEA operatives caught suspected drug lord Marwin Abelgas in a subdivision in Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City last Friday morning with five kilos of shabu with an estimated worth of P20 million.

Abelgas allegedly used the contacts of slain drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz. The suspect denied he is involved in drug trafficking.

Taliño said he agrees with Ruiz’s declaration.

The police official also ordered intelligence units to monitor groups using minors in their transactions, saying syndicates are using minors to shield their illegal activities.

Meanwhile, Ruiz also urged self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones’s lawyer Louie Arma to share information about new players allegedly using his client’s name to hide their suppliers’ tracks.

Taliño believes Sabalones has no direct involvement in the illegal drug trade because he is being monitored by Camp Crame./