An elusive alleged big-time drug dealer was arrested at the island of Balicasag in Panglao at dawn on Saturday after years of evading police by constantly moving from one residence to another in Tagbilaran, Panglao and Sierra Bullones.
Panglao Police chief Sr. Insp. Geronimo Conarco tagged the arrested narcotics dealer, Perla “Marissa” Palaca, 45, as a “drug queen” in Tagbilaran City.
According to Conarco, Palaca was overseeing large drug operations in Tagbilaran City and was operating a drug den near City Hall.
Conarco coordinated with Tagbilaran City police chief Supt. Patricio Degay as Palaca could not be found until authorities finally gathered information indicating that the alleged big-time drug personality relocated to the tourist island of Balicasag.
“Drug queen ng Tagbilaran kanang babae. Luyo sa New City Hall nagpuyo tapos mi balhin sa ubos na may mahogany tapos mibalhin nasad og puyo sa likod sa Vest Pension House sa Tamblot,” said Conarco in a text message to the Chronicle.
Palaca was arrested through a buy-bust operation carried out by the Panglao police in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency at Purok 7 in Balicasag Island at around 5 a.m.
Operatives seized from Palaca shabu contained in four heat-sealed plastic sachets. The confiscated drugs were estimated to be worth P33,000, police said in a report.
Meanwhile, authorities have received information indicating that Palaca was connected with slain SPO1 Adonis Dumpit who was accused of being a “narco-cop.”
Police however have yet to gather hard evidence linking Palaca and Dumpit, said Conarco.
According to Conaraco, he has been after Palaca since he was the police chief of Sierra Bullones from 2015 to 2017.
Palaca, a native of Sierra Bullones, also allegedly established a large drug operation in her hometown before relocating to Tagbilaran City.
She then distributed illegal drugs in various localities including Tagbilaran, Dauis and Panglao, particularly Balicasag where she sold drugs to tourists, Conarco said. (W. Maestrado)