ORMOC CITY– A river sand hauler became the latest drug suspect apprehended by the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the Ormoc City Police Station during a buy-bust operation at around 1:00 am on December 17, in District 26, Brgy. North of this city.
Captain Flora Mae Molina, chief of police of the Ormoc City Police Station 1, said that the suspect was identified as alias “Jonas,” 27, a river sand hauler, resident of District 26, Brgy. West, and living with a partner.
Recovered from his possession was one sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, which was sold to an operative for P500.
During a body search, conducted in the presence of law-mandated witnesses, authorities found a matchbox labeled “Fuego” in his right pocket.
Upon opening the matchbox, five more sachets containing the same suspected substance were discovered. A further search revealed a P500 bill which was pre-marked as court-subscribed money for the operation.
The suspect admitted to becoming involved in illegal drugs after his children were hospitalized for pneumonia.
He claimed that his income from hauling sand at Anilao River was insufficient, especially since extracting sand from the river is illegal. He said a friend had enticed him into selling shabu, and he felt compelled to join.
(ROBERT DEJON)
