A leader of a drug syndicate being monitored by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) was arrested in Cebu province’s Compostela town on June 2, city police confirmed yesterday.

The suspect, Cader Chisno Magondacan, has been identified as a sub-group leader of the Caunda drug ring who evaded arrest almost four years ago during a buy-bust operation in the city.

In his report to the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas, Colonel Noel Aliño, acting city director, said Magondacan had been hiding in Compostela’s Barangay Cogon and was arrested after they coordinated with the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO).

“He is now in the custody of CPPO,” Aliño said.

With the development, Aliño requested Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, acting regional director of PRO-6, that “the sub-group under Caunda illegal drug group under the leadership of Magondacan be considered dismantled.”

Police records showed the suspect was arrested by operatives of the CPPO Intelligence Unit through the warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 41 Acting Presiding Judge Phoebe Gargantiel-Balbin on June 17, 2020.

After learning of Magondacan’s whereabouts, the BCPO furnished the CPPO with a copy of his arrest warrant.

Magondacan is facing criminal cases for violation of Section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) of Section 26 (b) Article 2 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)