An official of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group said yesterday there seems to be an increase in the availability of illegal drugs, particularly shabu, in Dumaguete City and other parts of Negros Oriental.

PAIDSOTG chief Insp. Janelito Marquez said this was confirmed by the arrest last week of a suspected big-time drug pusher and a runner, who yielded more than half a million pesos worth of suspected shabu.

Neil Pinili Dejos, 22, single, of Colon Street Extension in Taclobo, and May Flor Buncalan Saraña, “alias Darlene”, 24, single, of Northern Junob, all in Dumaguete, were arrested in buy-bust operations on July 15 and 17, respectively, in the city, by a joint team from the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Seized from the suspects were 10 big plastic sachets of suspected shabu worth P590,000 based on the Dangerous Drugs Board market value.

The police said this was the biggest illegal drugs haul in the city and the province in decades.

Saraña, whom the police tagged as a big-time pusher, and her alleged runner Dejos, are both detained, and criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Anti-Drugs Act of 2002, were filed against them last week.

Marquez said their arrest strengthened police intelligence reports that illegal drugs trade in Dumaguete is growing, with shabu available in bigger volumes or by the kilo.

Those involved in the illegal trade transact business through cellphones, money transfers, air couriers and even banks, he added.

Marquez also claimed that Saraña’s alleged boss is a convict at the national penitentiary in Metro Manila, but transactions go on directly between them.

He said the perceived increase in the supply of illegal drugs in Dumaguete is attributed to the growth of the city in population and economic activities. He added that the supply of shabu is sourced either from Mindanao, Cebu or even Metro Manila.*JFP

back to top