By Xander Ledesma
Law enforcement agents in Talisay City, Cebu apprehended a freelance make-up artist during a combined buy-bust operation on November 24, 2024. The individual, named Urbanito Dizon Degamo Daan, is a 31-year-old resident of Purok Sunflower in Barangay San Roque, Talisay City. Degamo is regarded as a high-value individual (HVI) due to his supposed involvement in the local drug distribution network.
The operation, carried out by the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 7, led to the seizure of 1,050 grams of suspected shabu. The confiscated drugs have an estimated street value of PHP 7.1 million.
Following extensive surveillance and intelligence collection, law enforcement apprehended Degamo based on tips from reliable informants regarding his alleged participation in distributing significant amounts of shabu in the area. Authorities worked in coordination to guarantee the operation’s effectiveness, intending to dismantle a suspected drug supply network within the community.
Talisay City has witnessed numerous drug-related arrests, with barangays like San Roque frequently noted as hotspots. The success of this operation reinforces the significance of community collaboration and intelligence-sharing in tackling this intricate issue.
Currently, Degamo is in custody, and charges for infractions of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9165) are anticipated to be filed. Investigators are also probing potential accomplices and the wider network to which the suspect may be associated.