Tanod, 2 others nabbed for selling drugs

A barangay tanod, who allegedly sells drugs on the side, was arrested in a buy-bust operation on Thursday dawn in Barangay Jugan, Consolacion town, Cebu.

Sandrax Dona Mahinay, 47, is considered by the Consolacion police as a high-value target.

Chief Inspector Gerard Ace Pelare, the town police chief, said Mahinay had once surrendered to authorities in June 2016 shortly after Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, ordered the implementation of Oplan Tokhang, a campaign that involved policemen knocking on the homes of known drug personalities in the barangays.

But based on their intelligence monitoring, Pelare said, Mahinay continued selling drugs despite her signing an undertaking to stop her illegal activity.

"Dili man hinuon kaayo ni siya big player sa illegal drugs pero ang nakapa HVT ani niya kay ang iyang pagka-government employee," said Pelare.

The drug suspect, Pelare said, has abused and took advantage of her position as barangay tanod in selling shabu.

During the operation, police seized four small packs of shabu worth P1,400 from Mahinay.

In a separate operation, two drug suspects were arrested in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion on Wednesday evening.

Police seized P1,298 worth of shabu from Jerry Iwayan Pepito, 31, and Joseph Gallardo Cuyos, 23,both residents of the place.

All the arrested suspects are detained at the Consolacion Police Station pending the filing of charges against them for violating the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

NO BAIL

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Prosecutor's Office has recommended no bail against a man charged for illegal selling and possession of dangerous drugs.

Prosecutor II Ma. Lisa Miscala-Jorda held Ritche Pacheco for trial after finding probable cause.

In an inquest proceeding, Pacheco, who was arrested in a buybust operation inside a hotel on January 22 this year, opted not to file a counter-affidavit and other controverting evidence to negate the allegations filed against him. Instead, he manifested to face the charges in court.

In its complaint, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Central Visayas said an informant tipped off its agents about the suspect's involvement in illegal drug trade inside a hotel along Holy Name Street in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

The operatives contacted Pacheco and agreed to meet at the hotel's room 242.

Seized from Pacheco were P1,000 marked money, and shabu weighing 54.38 grams.