A FORMER cop, a product specialist, and three others were caught in a series of buy-bust operations in the different areas in the city on Monday evening.
The suspect was identified as Michael Lexter Catalan Tablazon, married, former PNP member, a native of Parang, Maguindanao, and presently residing in Orange Groove Subdivision. He was arrested at Lapu-Lapu Street corner Sobrecarey Street in Barangay 15-B.
Maj. Michael Uyanguren, the commander of the Sta. Ana Police Station, said Tablazon drew his firearm and fired at the arresting officer and fortunely missed. The other operatives then immobilized his vehicle and apprehended him.
Confiscated from him were three sachets of suspected shabu, one Huawei touchscreen cellphone, one .38 caliber revolver loaded with three bullets, and the P1,000 marked money. His Toyota Fortuner SUV was also impounded.
The estimated value of the drugs found in his possession amounted to P60,000.
“The arrest of the above-mentioned suspect will minimize, if not fully terminate, the circulation of illegal drugs within the area of Barangay 15-B and its neighboring places,” Uyanguren said.
The suspect was named in the the Directorate for Intelligence Drugs watchlist.
Meanwhile, Anil Hasan Ampatuan Macapendeg, 28, male, product specialist, and a resident of Kasoy Street, Juna Subdivision, was arrested in an entrapment at 10 p.m. along Tulip Drive, fronting JJEY building, Barangay 74-A.
Police seized eight sachets of suspected shabu valued at P50,000, self-sealing plastic pouch, an iPhone, P1,000 buy-bust money and the Nissan Almera used by the suspect.
Also, Dati Andal IV Upam Ampatuan was arrested in another buy-bust operation at Purok 3, Quezon Boulevard, Barangay 37-D. The operatives also caught two minors in the act of engaging in a shabu session.
They found three sachets of suspected shabu, one Improvised glass tube tooter with suspected shabu residue, one Nokia cellular phone, and P1,000 bill. Accordingly, the illegal drugs were coming from Cotabato City and his patrons were usually call center agents and students.
The estimated street market value of confiscated illegal drug items amounted to P16,000.
All suspects are facing charges for violation of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). The minors were turned over to social workers for assessment.
