Woman nabbed for ‘selling’ drugs in Danao

Almost P300,000 worth of white powder believed to be shabu was seized in an anti-drug operation in Barangay Looc, Danao City yesterday afternoon.

The Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) of Danao City Police arrested the suspect identified as Belen Tapayan, a resident of the said place.

Operatives initially conducted a buy bust operation against Tapayan and after buying a pack of white substance believed to be shabu, they immediately implemented the search warrant against her issued by Judge Jerry Dicdican of Regional Trial Court Branch 25.

The operatives were acting on information that they received from the community about Tapayan’s involvement in illegal drug peddling.

Confiscated from the suspect were 15. 3 grams of white powder suspected to be shabu and several drug paraphernalia.

She is detained in Danao police lock up cell pending filing of appropriate charges.

Meanwhile, the Prosecutor’s Office has charged a woman before the court for having in her possession and selling dangerous drugs.

Prosecutor II Ma. Johanna Desamparado-Calustre found probable cause to elevate the cases of Sections 5 (selling of dangerous drugs) and 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act before the court against Rosalita Monteadora.

In an inquest proceeding, Monteadora chose not to file a counter-affidavit to negate the allegations filed against her. Instead, she manifested to face the charges in court.

Calustre did not recommend bail for Monteadora’s temporary liberty.

Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 alleged that at around 10 p.m. on December 5, 2017, they received a report that Monteadora was actively engaged in the selling of drugs on A. Borromeo Street, Barangay Pahina Central, Cebu City.

At 2:35 a.m. on December 6, the agents proceeded to the place of Monteadora and bought a pack of shabu.

Operatives said after the transaction was completed, they placed Monteadora under arrest and informed her of her constitutional rights.

Inventory of the pieces of evidence seized were being conducted following the arrest of Monteadora.

Aside from 5.0797 grams of shabu, which was the subject of the sale, PDEA7 was also able to recover 15.5203 grams from her possession. —

Mylen P. Manto and Ermida Q. Moradas/MBG