Operatives from the regional office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency based in Cebu, and local police, arrested Wednesday a suspected “big-time” illegal drugs pusher and five of his alleged companions during a buy-bust operation in Tayasan, Negros Oriental.

Arrested were Roldan Uy, Michael Dayocos and Hernani Grapa of Sta. Cruz, Tayasan town; Sherwyn Benlot Am-is of Barangay Lutay, Tayasan; Dandy Cuevas of Barangay South Poblacion of nearby Jimalalud town; and Gabriel Gador of Barangay Bagacay in Dumaguete City.

Operatives from the regional PDEA said the target of their operations was Roldan Uy, an alleged “big fish” in the illegal drugs trade and an elusive subject that Tayasan police could not apprehend in previous operations.

Uy’s name is reportedly in the PDEA and Philippine National Police watch lists of suspected drug personalities.

During the buy-bust operation at his residence in Tayasan, the police seized a transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu and a P500 marked bill used in the buy-bust operation.

More plastic sachets with suspected shabu, a motorcycle and other items like used aluminum foil, were also confiscated in the anti-illegal drugs operation, police reports said.

Dandy Cuevas, the alleged right hand of Uy, and Michael Dayocos reportedly tried to escape but were nabbed later in a chase by the PDEA and the police.

The police report said Uy was the subject of weeks of surveillance before drugs operations.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Dangerous Drugs Act as amended, are being readied against the suspects who are now in detention.* JFP

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