By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – An estimated P3.4 million worth of suspected shabu weighing 500 grams was seized in a buy-bust inside a cock farm at Barangay Alegria, Murcia, Negros Occidental last Tuesday.
Police identified the targets of the operation as Andrew Ledesma, 45, of Barangay Mansilingan here, who escaped.
Ledesma’s companions, who were employees of the cock farm, were identified as Reylan Artus, 31, of Manapla town, and Justine Ledesma, 18, of Victorias City.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Special Enforcement Team (PDEA-SET) and the Murcia Municipal Police Station in Negros Occidental led the bust.
Police Captain Jerald Muya, town police chief, said the three suspects were on board a motorcycle when they arrived at their meeting place.
But while in the middle of the transaction, Andrew suddenly drove away and allegedly threw a pouch containing sachets of suspected shabu, Muya said.
He left his two companions after sensing that they were transacting with a police agent, the town police chief added.
Artus ran to the cockfarm that he managed, while Ledesma also tried to escape, but both were cornered by the authorities, Muya said.
“Kalapad abi sang farm niya (Andrew), dugay pa bago na launch ang operation,” Muya said.
Muya said Andrew is a high-value target, while the two others are newly-identified drug personalities.
Police also recovered from the two arrested suspects the P12,500 marked money, and a weighing scale.
Muya said the contraband probably just arrived and was supposed to be distributed here and in the town.
Muya said Andrew was previously arrested for a drug offense but was released through plea bargaining.
He was then reported to have returned to the illegal drug trade, prompting the authorities to monitor him and conduct the operation, Muya said.
Meanwhile, Justine denied that he’s related to Andrew, according to Muya. “Pareho lang sila kuno apelyido, pero indi sila related,” he added.
Muya said the three suspects will face drug charges.
Artus and Justine, who denied the allegations against them, are detained at the police station.
Muya said the two arrested suspects might have knowledge about their employer’s alleged engagement in the illegal drug trade, as they tried to escape from the authorities during the operation.
