LAPU-LAPU CITY – Two high-value drug personalities were arrested and 51 grams of shabu with a street value of P346,800 were seized in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Pusok on Monday night.

The suspects were identified as Arnold Berame Booc, alias Anoan, 42, and John Louie Cuizon Saavedra, alias Janjan, 29. They were caught by operatives of Police Station 5 of Lapu-lapu City Police Office (LCPO) in Ihawan area around 10 p.m.

According to LCPO chief Col. Arnel Banzon, the suspects are known distributors of illegal drugs in Lapu-Lapu City and neighboring areas. He said they have been under surveillance for two months before the operation was conducted.

Aside from the shabu, police also recovered P500 marked money, P1,000 cash believed to be proceeds from drug sales, and a belt pouch from the suspects.

The suspects will face charges for violation of Sections 5 (sale) and 11 (possession) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002¹.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Brig. Gen. Jerry Bearis commended the LCPO for their successful operation that resulted in significant arrests and seizures of illegal drugs.

He said PRO 7 will continue to intensify its intelligence-led operations against drug syndicates and other criminal groups with the support of the community.

“With enhanced intelligence-led operations, criminals are on the run but PRO 7 will methodically go after them with community support,” he said.