'Slippery' drug
suspect nabbed

The police finally cornered someone they have tagged as "slippery" drug character in Bacolod City Tuesday, the Philippine National Police said.

Narciso de la Cruz alias "Toto Buka" was arrested by Bacolod City Police Office Drug Enforcement Unit operatives for allegedly selling shabu in Purok Kagaykay, Brgy. 2, Bacolod City at about 3:30 p.m. on September 4, BCPO-DEU chief, SPO4 Ernesto Gonzales said.

The arrest was made on the strength of a search warrant issued by Bacolod City Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 4 Judge Danilo Amisola for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2003, police records showed.

The officers recovered two elongated plastic sachets of suspected shabu, three empty plastic sachets, and P1,600 in cash believed to be drug proceeds from the suspect's house, Gonzales said.

He said they had been watching De la Cruz's activities, noting that he had already purchased a motorized fishing boat, and that, he has a house under construction probably financed by his drug deals.

"A number of people in the area even congratulated us for nabbing him because he is considered as 'slippery'," Gonzales said, adding that De la Cruz also supplied shabu in Purok Sigay also in Brgy. 2 according to their informants.

De la Cruz, 28, however, denied selling the illegal substance, saying he did not know where they came from.

He said he earns money by assisting his carpenter friends in their construction projects. Gonzales, on the other hand, said, De la Cruz admitted to selling shabu during their tactical interrogation but refused to name his suppliers.

The suspect's wife also told them De la Cruz has been selling shabu for some time because of poverty, Gonzales added.

"That's their reason but they have to face the consequences," he said.

De la Cruz will face charges for violation of Article 2, Section 11 of R.A. 9165 or illegal possession of prohibited drugs, Gonzales said.*PP

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'Sale of liquor to
minors not allowed'

Bacolod City Police Office director, Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebar, yesterday reiterated a call for business establishments vending liquor not to sell alcoholic drinks to minors.

Quebrar issued the warning as he noted the increase of teenagers who drink at sidewalk eateries, especially at night.

"We will go after them," Quebrar said of restaurants who cater to minors despite the city ordinance prohibiting the sale of liquor to customers below 18 years old. City Ordinance No. 1251 series of 1979 states that only those 18 years old and above can purchase liquor in business establishments.

Restaurants caught selling liquor to minors could face revocation of their permits, Quebrar said.

He added that a number of crimes involving minors that have happened in bars could have been avoided had they not sold alcoholic drinks to the teenagers.

Their regular patrols will include checks on restaurants to ensure they are only catering to adults, Quebrar said.*PP

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