Tokhang surrenderee nabbed in drug buy-bust

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Police seized sachets of shabu in an anti-drug operation on September 20 in Ibajay, Aklan.

The 43-year old Emmanuel Lopez Garcia alias Mata, resident of Barangay Poblacion in Ibajay, was apprehended after a poseur buyer bought two heat-sealed transparent sachets worth P2,000 from him.

The sting operation happened at Sito Agbucad, Barangay Aquino at around 2 p.m. It was conducted by operatives of Aklan Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Aklan Provincial Intelligence Branch and 1st Aklan Provincial Mobile Force Company in coordination with Ibajay municipal police station.

“Dati gumagamit ako ng druga ngunit ngayon hindi na dahil sa takot ko rin na makulong. Habang pauwi sakay ng motor, inabangan ako ng mga pulis, pinadapa at hinuli,” Garcia said after his arrest.

Chief Inspector Ariel Nacar, police chief of Ibajay, said the suspect was put under close monitoring by policemen for more than a month.

“Na-monitor siya ng mga operatiba na nag-engaged sa illegal drugs kahit surrenderee siya. Ang suspek ay hindi kasama sa top 10 watchlist ng Ibajay kaso lumabas ang kanyang pangalan dahil sa monitoring natin at naging positibo ang transakyon sa kanya,” he stressed.

Garcia voluntarily surrendered in Oplan Tokhang and underwent community-based rehabilitation program initiated by Ibajay municipal police station.

“Sa labas ng Aklan kinukuha niya ang mga druga at ibinenta niya sa mga kilala,” Nacar added.

Police also recovered a mobile phone and P16,981 cash during the body search.

The suspect will face charges in violations of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.