Police operations in two Cebu towns this week led to the arrest of five individuals, including an elderly widow, and the confiscation of illegal drugs with an estimated street value exceeding forty thousand pesos.
Widow Arrested in Balamban Dawn Raid
In Balamban town, an early morning operation on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 12:22 AM, resulted in the arrest of a senior citizen widow. The suspect, identified only by the alias "Viray," was apprehended in Barangay Sta. Cruz-Sto. Niño.
Authorities recovered from Viray approximately 0.54 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P3,672. She is currently detained at the Balamban Police Station and will face charges for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Police are also searching for a relative of the suspect identified as Chris, who managed to evade capture during the operation. The buy-bust was led by Police Lt. Col. Ruel Burlat, chief of the Balamban Police Station, together with personnel from the station's Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU).
Four Drug Personalities Fall in Argao Stings
Meanwhile, in the neighboring town of Argao, police conducted two successful buy-bust operations that netted four more suspects.
The first operation occurred on Monday, December 1, at 11:40 PM in Sitio Malinglingon, Barangay Lamacan. Arrested were:
- Alias "Carl," 32, single, a resident of Barangay Lamacan, Argao.
- Alias "Jimboy," 25, from Carcar City.
Confiscated from them were 5 grams of shabu valued at around P34,000.
Second Argao Operation at Dawn
Just hours later, on Tuesday, December 2, at 1:57 AM, police struck again in Barangay Bug-ot, Argao. This operation led to the arrest of two more individuals:
- Alias "Melvin," 29 years old.
- Alias "Joseph," 32 years old.
Seized evidence included 11 packets of suspected shabu weighing a total of 0.44 grams, with an estimated value of P2,992.
Charges Filed Against All Suspects
All five individuals arrested across the two municipalities are now under police custody. They are set to face formal complaints for violations of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The consecutive operations demonstrate continued police efforts to combat the illegal drug trade in Central Visayas.
