By EUGENE ADIONG
BACOLOD City — Two Escalante brothers, who are leading political figures in Cadiz City, wanted the authorities to intensify the campaign against drugs in their city.
Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Salvador Escalante (2nd District) said illegal drugs is rampant in Cadiz.
His younger brother, Cadiz Mayor Patrick Escalante, on the other hand, believes the transport of drugs via courier service had been ongoing for many years.
On Tuesday, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives arrested a drug suspect and recovered P4.5 million worth of shabu in a buy-bust operation in Lara compound, Villena St., Cadiz City.
Jonathan Badilles was collared, but the subject of the operation, Kurt Reylan Majarucon, eluded arrest and remains at large as of press time. The suspects were alleged drug distributors. Both had already been charged.
Seized from Badilles was a big sealed plastic containing shabu concealed in a stereo speaker shipped via the courier service company LBC.
SP member Salvador Escalante praised PDEA’s efforts but said drugs still proliferate in their city, which “has a fish port and many beaches.”
Authorities once discovered illegal drugs covered by squids contained in polystyrene boxes owned by an alleged fisherman at the fish port, he revealed.
He said authorities should be allowed, via a protocol, to inspect packages they suspect to be containing illegal drugs.
“There is a need to review our security measures, as drug syndicates are finding new ways to evade the law,” he said, adding that drug suspects could be applying the same modus in other areas in the country.
Meanwhile, Mayor Patrick Escalante said the rise of crimes in Cadiz could be due to the proliferation of illegal drugs.
He said he ordered the police to closely monitor drug suspects in coordination with PDEA.
PDEA Region 6 director Paul Ledesma said laboratory examination confirmed that the substance seized during the operation was high-grade shabu.
Ledesma said that while they are studying if LBC can be held accountable, its liability would be difficult to establish./PN
