Woman falls, P5.2M shabu seized in Ormoc buy-bust
EASTERN Visayas anti-narcotics agents on Friday arrested a 44-year old woman tagged as Ormoc City’s ‘Drug Queen’ during a buy-bust which yielded over P5.2 million worth of shabu, Philippine National Police chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. said yesterday.
The suspect identified as Riza Wenceslao alias ‘Madam Lyka,’ a resident of Barangay Linao, Ormoc City is facing non-bailable charges for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) director, Brigadier Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil said the suspect was arrested in an anti-narcotics operation conducted by operatives from the PRO8 Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, Ormoc City Police Office, PNP Special Action Force’s 121st Special Action Company and Regional Explosive Canine Unit 8 around 7:45 p.m. Friday.
During the sting, an undercover officer managed to buy a heat-sealed plastic sachet containing shabu from the suspect. The woman was nabbed after the deal was consummated.
Initially recovered from her possession were an estimated P320,500 worth of the so-called ‘poor man’s cocaine.’
When searched in the presence of required government witnesses, the suspect was also found in possession of 58 more plastic packets containing shabu, the buy-bust money topped by a marked P500 bill and assorted jewelry.
Overall, Brig. Gen. Marbil said the recovered drugs from the suspects weighed 768 grams and valued at P5,222,400.
Gen. Azurin and Marbil commended officers and men of the PRO8 RPDEU led by Major J-Rale Paalisbo, the 121st SAC led by Maj. Jaime Immadpang, the RECU 8 under Police Senior Master Sergeant Peter Jerome Mendoza, the Ormoc City Police Office headed by Colonel Nelvin Ricohermoso, the Ormoc City DEU under Lietenant Col. Alex Echon and the Ormoc City Police Station 4 led by Lt. Pietronio Piangco for the major drug sting.
The PRO8 director said the conduct of the operation was supervised by PRO8 Regional Intelligence Division chief, Col. Reydante Ariza.
“I congratulate the men and women of Police Regional Office 8 headed by Brig. Gen. Rommel Marbil for another successful drive against illegal drugs,” Gen. Azurin said.
He likewise credited the role played by the Ormoc City community in tracking down the suspect. “Our government’s anti-drug program will not be successful without the partnership we have with the community as well as with other non-government organizations and partner government agencies,” the top cop said.
“We recognize all the support of everyone to firm-up our strategic prevention framework to address drug addiction and substance abuse in the community thereby helping the government ensure a more effective campaign against illegal drugs,” he added.
