P2M drugs seized from two women

More than P2 million worth of suspected illegal drugs were seized by City Intelligence Branch (CIB) and Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) operatives from two high-value targets in Sitio Plastikan, Barangay Duljo Fatima, Cebu City yesterday afternoon.

Authorities identified the suspects as Luzminda Ongcoy, 59, and Gina Gerale, 39, both residents of the place. They were allegedly seen repacking shabu (methamphetamine) in plain view.

The police said Ongcoy yielded a large pack and a medium pack of suspected shabu weighing around 105 grams, while Gerale with her three medium packs of suspected shabu weighing around 75 grams.

The 180-gram suspected shabu has an estimated value of P2.12 million.

Senior Inspector Narolf Tan, CIB deputy chief, said that Ongcoy was considered as a level 2 high-value target, while Gerale was a level 1 high-value target.

Both suspects were placed under surveillance for three weeks after the police received information about their alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

Sought for their comment, both Ongcoy and Gerale denied that they owned the illegal drugs the police seized. Ongcoy alleged that a woman just dropped a bag containing the suspected shabu with them with a promise that they would receive a “commission.”

Ongcoy said they had just joined the illegal drug trade, yesterday being their third day.

Tan, though, said that Ongcoy's son, whom he identified as a certain Richard, was a level 2 high-value target and was arrested January during an illegal drug buy-bust operation.

Ongcoy and Gerale are currently detained at the Cebu City Police Office detention cell pending the filing of a criminal complaint for violating Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.