3 killed, R15M shabu seized in C. Visayas anti-drug operations

CEBU CITY - Almost R15 million worth of shabu was seized and more than 200 individuals were arrested in a series of anti-illegal drugs operation over the weekend in Central Visayas.

The region-wide Synchronized Enhanced Managing Police Operations, also known as One-Time, Big-Time, also led to the deaths of three drug suspects.

In Tagbilaran City, 100.38 grams of suspected shabu were seized by the Bohol police .

Drug war casualties

Chief Supt. Debold Sinas, director of the Police Regional Offce-Central Visayas (PRO 7), said Rolando Valdez of Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City; Eduardo Baclohan of Barangay Opao, Mandaue City and Janmell Benosillo of Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City were killed after engaging the police to a shootout.

The bulk of the confiscated illegal drugs came from Cebu City.

More arrests

Senior Supt. Royina Garma, chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said a total of 26 buy-bust operations were conducted in the city that resulted to the confiscation of illegal drugs worth P13,000,590.

The CCPO, also arrested 46 persons, said Garma.

The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), on the other hand, arrested 167 persons and seized R1.3 million worth of shabu.

CCPO chief Supt. Manuel Abrugena said 48 search warrants were served in various towns and cities in Cebu.

A total of 62 buy-bust operations were conducted that led to the confiscation of 201.87 grams of shabu, said Abrugena.

Abrugena said the CPPO was also able to recover 87 loose firearms.

“Some of those firearms were surrendered and some were confiscated,” said Abrugena.

Bohol operations

Based on the data from Camp Francisco Dagohoy, the headquarters of Bohol Provincial Police Office, the police conducted the SEMPO from December 6 to 8.

The same data revealed the street value of the suspected drugs confiscated amounted to R682,584.

The police reported that nine buybust operations were conducted, and resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects.

The SEMPO is a follow up of the same kind of operations conducted by Bohol police in August and in October.

The SEMPO is a product of long planning where the police simultaneously swoop down on several street level targets and other drug personalities.

Meantime, during the same SEMPO, the police also cracked down on illegal gambling activities.

Seven raids were organized to pounce on and eliminate illegal gambling activities.

Seven suspects wwere arrested in relation to alleged illegal gambling activities.