- Target in sting operation eludes arrest
MORE THAN P4 million pesos worth of illegal drugs were seized from a suspect during a buy-bust operation at 10:44 p.m. in Catalunan Grande on Sept. 1.
The subject of the operation, Mark Joseph Barcenilla Lucena, a resident of Skyline Village, Catalunan Grande, managed to elude arrest. However, police arrested his accomplice, Ariul Cabeza Virtudazo, 30, merchandiser, and resident of Tahimik Avenue, Matina Balusong.
The Sta. Ana Police Station personnel led the buy-bust with support from the city and regional drug enforcement units.
The suspects sold a jumbo-size sachet containing suspected shabu to the operatives, who used 99 paper bills and another P1,000 genuine bill for a total of P100,000 for the sting operation.
Recovered from the arrested suspect was a backpack containing a black wallet with IDs and P1,500 cash, a smartphone, and nine medium packs of illegal drugs.
The buy-bust money was recovered when Lucena left it in his haste to escape.
Authorities said the recovered drug evidence weighed 255.87 grams with an estimated street value of P4,093,920.
For now, the arrested suspect is in the custody of the Sta. Ana police as he faces a case for violating RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2001).
