Drug suspects in 2 police dragnets fall

By Mar S. Arguelles LEGAZPI CITY --- Anti-narcotics operatives seized some P340,000 worth of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth) while a high-value target drug peddler was killed on Tuesday in separate drug operations in two villages in Naga City, a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Bicol report said yesterday. Killed was Alvin Sta Isabel 38, a high-value target (HVT) tagged as No. 4 in President Duterte’s drug watch list, Christian Frivaldo, PDEA acting regional director said quoting a police report. Naga City PDEA and police operatives in the early morning of Tuesday collared Jose Lamtecson Vasquez of Barangay Triangulo, Naga City, Jonathan Paderes 53, alias Boyet, also of Naga City, and Romel Cea alias Bong of Magarao, Camarines Sur, during an anti-drug operation in a subdivision in Barangay Pequena, Naga City. Seized from Vasquez inside his residence was a heat sealed plastic sachet containing 50 grams of suspected “shabu” or crystal meth with a street value of P340,000 and other illegal drug paraphernalia, Frivaldo said. In another anti-drug operation at around 2:10 p.m. of the same day, suspected drug dealer Alvin Sta. Isabel was shot dead inside his boarding house in Barangay Penafracia in Naga City while fighting off with poseur buyer policeman. Upon sensing that the buyer was a policeman, Sta,Isabel drew his 45 caliber handgun and fired at the arresting policemen who fired back, killing him instantly, Chief Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib said yesterday. Police report said the other suspects arrested are allegedly employed at a local radio station in Naga City.