ORMOC CITY-A motorcycle mechanic was apprehended during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Station Drug Enforcement Team of Police Station 5 on Thursday, August 22, at Purok 3, Barangay Dolores in this city, at about 10:05 pm.
The suspect, identified as Lando Laurente, 58, a resident of Brgy. Bagong, was listed as a street-level individual on the local police’s drug watchlist.
Laurente, who lives with his partner, was found in possession of suspected shabu.
During the operation, an undercover operative purchased a sachet containing a white crystalline substance, believed to be shabu, for P500 from Laurente.
A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of an elected barangay official and a representative from the local media, led to the discovery of P650 in cash, in various denominations, and a cigarette pack labeled “Winston.”
Upon inspection, the cigarette pack contained a larger sachet of suspected shabu, weighing 5.0 grams, with an estimated street value of P34,000.
In total, the police recovered 5.4 grams of suspected shabu from the suspect, with an estimated street value of P36,720.
Charges for violations of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were charged against the suspect who is currently detained at the locked-up cell of Police Station 6 in Brgy. Dolores.(ROBERT DEJON)
