Suspected shabu worth P47 million were seized by the police from an alleged courier during a buy-bust operation in Mandaue City Friday.
A joint operation by the Regional Intelligence Division 7 and the Regional Special Operations Group 7 arrested Charlie Duhaylungsod Fortuna, 26, a resident of the City of Naga, Cebu, after he was caught selling illegal drugs in Barangay Cubacub at 9 p.m.
The operatives led by Senior Supt. Remus Medina recovered seven large packs of shabu worth P47 million.
Medina said Fortuna was arrested following several months of surveillance on his operations and movements.
Fortuna was identified by the police as a drug courier and is connected to an inmate detained at the Mandaue City Jail.
Medina said the inmate reportedly facilitates Fortuna’s illegal sales in Cebu City and Mandaue.
He said that the illegal drugs, which reportedly sourced from Manila, would arrive in Cebu by roll-on, roll-off vessel.
Medina said they conducted two buy-bust operations against Fortuna, first in Cebu City where three kilograms of shabu were recovered, and the second is at the suspect’s house in Barangay Cubacub where he was arrested.
Fortuna said that he initially applied as a construction worker but was suddenly exposed to illegal drugs by a certain “Arthur” who was recently arrested and jailed for drugs.
Fortuna said that even though Arthur was jailed, he was still calling him for deliveries of shabu in exchange for money.
Fortuna said he decided to enter the illegal drugs trade because he was in dire straits. (Lesley Caminade-Vestil)
