PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Debold M. Sinas yesterday announced the seizure of an estimated P5.4 million worth of regulated pain relievers being distributed by a drug ring in Central Visayas.
The 21,600 ampules of ‘Nubain’ were confiscated from a suspected member of the syndicate during a buy-bust along Sangi Road in Bgy. Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu conducted by agents of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) headed by Brigadier Gen. Ronald O. Lee.
Sinas said a PNP-DEG investigation showed the recovered drugs were imported from Pakistan and was forwarded to Cebu via a local forwarding company.
The Dangerous Drugs Board has included Nalbuphine Hydrochloride (Nubain) among the list of dangerous drugs because of the danger posed by its abuse.
The DDB also noted that there have also been numerous reports of abuse of Nalbuphine Hydrochloride in many major cities in the country and that it has been found to be the 5th most commonly encountered drug of abuse by victims seeking treatment and rehabilitation in various rehabilitation centers.
Lee said his men arrested Dioscoro Colo alias ‘Jet,’ a 33-year old cargo representative from FCS Cargo Services during the sting which led to the recovery of the Nubain ampules and P100,000 worth of boodle money and two marked P1,000 bills.
Now under the custody of the PNP-DEG Special Operations Unit 5 headed by Lieutenant Colonel Warren Dablo, the suspect will be facing charges for violation of Section 5 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Lee said their investigation showed Colo was recruited in 2017 by a certain Madelyn Baldovino alias “Madam” to join the drug ring. The arrested suspect is also the one remitting proceeds from the sale of the items to Baldovino who is now being hunted by the PNP-DEG.
