Two ‘ex-cons’ yield P4M shabu
Twelve people, including two ex-convicts and alleged big-time illegal drug traders in several northern Cebu towns, were arrested after National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives implemented search warrants in San Remigio, Cebu last Wednesday.
The NBI-Cebu District Office (CEBDO) said the two, who are allegedly also gunsfor-hire and involved in robbery, also yielded packs of suspected shabu worth P4 million.
The NBI operation came following a surveillance and test buys on Leo Montealto and Ritchel Banga-Banga, who were released from jail just last year following a 13-year incarceration.
In a document provided to the media, the NBI said it applied for search warrants for possession of illegal drugs and of illegal possession of firearms against Montealto and Banga-Banga after confirming their illegal drug activities.
At 5 p.m. last Jan. 24, authorities swooped down on Montealto and Banga-Banga’s homes in Sitio Bungtod, Brgy. Calambua, San Remigio to implement the search warrants issued by Regional Trial CourtBranch 25 Judge Jerry Dicdican of Danao City.
The NBI said the two, armed with pistols, “attempted to fight” but surrendered after BangaBanga suffered a graze wound to stomach.
Following the operation, authorities seized from the suspects 10 big packs of suspected shabu weighing around 500 grams, which has an estimated value of P4 million; digital weighing scales; drug paraphernalia such as glass tooters, pieces of tin foil, lighters, sealers; and a large volume of assorted empty plastic sachets that are used in the repacking of shabu.
They also recovered two .45 pistols, a shotgun, as well as ammunition from Montealto and Banga-Banga.
In the same document it provided to the media, the NBI said Montealto and Banga-Banga were involved in a 2011 ambush of a political leader of the then mayor of Borbon, Cebu that led to their 13-year conviction for attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms.
The NBI said that after their release, the two went back to their illegal activities, becoming gunfor-hires and allegedly selling illegal drugs in Bogo City and the neighboring towns of San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, and Sogod.
Montealto and Banga-Banga allegedly also figured prominently in several instances of illegal discharge of firearms and electionrelated harassment during the last elections.
The two, along with the 10 others who were believed to be illegal drug users, are detained at the NBI-CEBDO pending the filing of appropriate charges against them.