CEBU: Two brothers who are suspected drug pushers were arrested by National Bureau of Investigation agents in a buy-bust operation past 5 p.m. yesterday in Sitio Tapon, Barangay South Poblacion, San Fernando town. The agents seized close to P3.5 million worth of suspected shabu and five guns.
Gringo Maalyao, 28, the subject of the buy-bust operation was arrested in a suspected drug den together with his brother Crisologo, 26, for selling drugs. Several men were also held by the police following the operation.
Agent Arnel Pura said that the operation was hatched after the NBI received a complaint from a schoolteacher in San Fernando who found out students would cut classes and go to the drug den to sniff shabu.
The NBI sent operatives to conduct surveillance and test-buy operations, after these yielded positive results the operation was planned.
After selling shabu to a poseur-buyer the brothers were immediately handcuffed. Around 20 men in the vicinity of the drug den were also held by NBI agents but later released after it was determined they were just watching a volleyball game in the area.
At least 300 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P3.5 million based on the Dangerous Drugs Board estimates, were seized from the drug den, as well as five guns.
Aside from the suspected shabu the NBI also found a bonnet in the utility box of Gringo’s motorcycle, the agents said they will verify if the suspect is a gun-for-hire.
Gringo is said to be an untouchable in the area as he is allegedly under police protection, but that report was denied by the suspect himself who said he is into drugs because he cannot find a decent job. He also denied selling drugs to students, claiming he would drive them away himself with the admonition that drugs would destroy the future.
Chief Inspector Richard Gadingan, San Fernando Police Station chief, said that NBI-7 coordinated with them regarding the operation but during the operation he left the agents to do their job as the presence of his own men might jeopardize the operations.
Gadingan said they also conducted surveillance on the suspect and he is glad that other law enforcement units helped them in their campaign against illegal drugs.
Regarding reports of police protection, Gadingan said he will investigate.
Barangay Councilor Dante Lariosa, chairman of the Committee on Environment, witnessed the inventory because the barangay captain and the Committee on Peace and Order failed to arrive.
