Fisherman, 2 minors yield P1.1-M shabu, guns

BACOLOD CITY – Police arrested a fisherman and two minors and seized suspected shabu and guns in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Dacutan Dacu, Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, January 10.

Police identified the suspect as Elmer Abela Jr., 42, of Barangay Mambulac. Police withheld the identities of his two alleged drug runners aged 16.

POLICE seize P1.1-million worth of suspected shabu from a fisherman and two minors in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, January 10. (Photo courtesy of Silay City Police Station)

Recovered from the suspects were 170 grams of suspected shabu worth P1,156,000.

Police Major Rhea Sarah Villanueva, deputy chief of the Silay City Police Station, said that customers of Abela need to ride a boat to reach his house in the middle of the sea.

Villanueva said they received information about Abela’s alleged illegal activity last year, prompting them to monitor him.

Also recovered from the suspects were the P6,000 marked money, an improvised tooter, a handmade shotgun, a caliber. 38 revolver, and a plastic bottle containing Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil.

Villanueva said the ANFO can be used to develop explosives. The suspect is considered “armed and dangerous,” she added.

She said the illegal drugs were reportedly sourced out in this city, but she refused to reveal the specific area pending investigation.

Villanueva said the suspect was arrested for a drug offense in 2003 and was released after he had served his sentence.

She said the two minors were turned over to the Silay City Youth Center but will still be charged for conspiracy.

Abela will face drug charges and additional case for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, she added.