ORMOC CITY– A merchandiser involved in selling illegal drugs was arrested by operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) during a buy-bust operation early Thursday morning, August 22, in Barangay San Pablo, this city.
CDEU Chief PMAJ Michael Ray Cañete identified the suspect as Mar Jalla, alias “Jan-Jan,” a 27-year-old single merchandiser and resident of said village.
During the operation, the police recovered one sachet containing a white crystalline substance, suspected to be shabu, purchased by an undercover operative for P5,000.
In a subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of an elected barangay official and a local media representative, two more sachets containing the same substance, also suspected to be shabu, were found on the suspect.
The suspect admitted ownership of the illegal items, explaining that financial hardship led him to engage in drug dealing. He claimed that his income as a merchandiser was insufficient to meet his needs.
According to the police, the total weight of the suspected shabu recovered from the suspect was 4.19 grams, with an estimated street value of P28,492.
Charges for violations of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Law against Illegal Drugs of 2002, were filed against the suspect who is currently detained at the locked-up cell of Police Station 1 at the Government Center in Brgy. Cogon, this city.
(ROBERT DEJON)
