ORMOC CITY– Operatives from the Station Drug Enforcement Team of the Matag-ob Police, Leyte recovered three sachets containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu from a construction worker during a buy-bust operation along the Provincial Highway in Barangay Candelaria, Matag-ob.
The operation took place at around 4:58 pm on Thursday, October 24.
The suspect, identified only as “Lim,” 40, married, and a resident of Candelaria, is newly listed on the local police’s drug watchlist.
Recovered from the suspect was one sachet of suspected shabu worth P1,000, which was purchased by an undercover operative.
During a body search conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, two additional sachets of suspected shabu were found in a red coin purse, along with a P1,000 marked bill used in the buy-bust operation, an orange lighter, and aluminum foil.
No statement was given by the suspect to media personnel covering the operation.
The police estimated the total weight of the seized drugs at approximately 0.532 grams, with a street value of about P3,192.
The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine in a language he understood.
Charges for violating Section 5 (Sale of Illegal Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs) of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act were filed by the Matag-ob Police at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Ormoc City.
The suspect is currently detained at the Matag-ob Municipal Police Station lock-up cell.
(ROBERT DEJON)
