Cebu City Drug Busts Yield Over P2M Shabu, 2 Suspects Nabbed

The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit of PRO 7 (RPDEU-7) scored big in its anti-drug campaign as it seized more than P2.1 million worth of shabu and arrested two high-value targets in separate sting operations in Cebu City on August 9, 2023.

PBGEN Anthony Aberin, PRO7 Regional Director, said that the intelligence-driven operations were part of their efforts to penetrate and dismantle the illegal drug structure in Central Visayas.

“Our operational gains against illegal drugs have penetrated to the core of the illegal drug structure in Central Visayas and we shall be more focused, aggressive, and deliberate in eradicating illegal drug supply in the region,” Aberin said in a press release.

The suspects were identified as Clifford Malasaga Gonzales, alias Tiboy, 24, of T. Cavan Street, Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, and Junmar Bacalde Bacalla, alias Doy-doy, 39, of Flores Street, Barangay Pasil, Cebu City.

Gonzales was arrested at around 11:36 PM on August 9 at J. Saint Jude Street, Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City. He yielded transparent plastic packs of shabu weighing 205 grams and valued at P1,340,000.00, buy-bust money topped by a marked P1,000.00 bill, and a sling bag used as the container of illegal drugs.

Bacalla, an e-bike driver, was nabbed at around 5:30 PM on the same day at J. Climaco, Corner Dimasalang Street, Barangay Pahina Central, Cebu City. He was caught with illegal drugs estimated to weigh 105 grams and a standard drug price value of P714,000.00, a sling bag and a transparent container.

Both suspects are now under the custody of RPDEU-7 and will face charges for violation of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Aberin lauded the RPDEU-7 operatives for their successful operations and urged them to continue their relentless pursuit of drug personalities in the region.

He also appealed to the public to support the police in their anti-drug campaign by reporting any suspicious activities or persons in their communities.