Police officers failed to arrest an elusive suspected drug dealer, who has allegedly been fueling drug consumption in several villages of Tubigon, during a raid at his temporary home in the town on Tuesday.

According to Cpl. Christian Lumbahin of the Tubigon Police Station, they found shabu with an estimated worth of P54,000 and a .38 caliber revolver at the  house of suspect Michael Zarate but he was nowhere to be found.

“Taod-taod na pud ni sa Tubigon. Lisod timingon kay basta gikan sa sud, idlas na kaayo mao maglisud mi’g buy-bust mao amo nalang gi SW [search warrant],” said Lumbahin.

According to Lumbahin, some individuals who previously surrendered under Oplan Tokhang used drugs again after Zarate started to peddle drugs in Barangay Ilihan Norte and nearby villages.

“Naay mga na-positive sa drug test tungod ani niya,” he said.

Zarate is originally from Calape but relocated to Tubigon and shared a home with his live-in partner.

He was previously arrested for drug charges in Calape but was later released after he entered a plea bargaining deal.

“Sa Calape g’yud na siya. Kanang iyang ka-live in maoy taga Ilihan. Naa pud na siya’y mga kaso sa drugs sauna sa Calape,” said Lumbahin.

Zarate’s live-in partner was inside their house during the raid but Lumbahin said that she did not disclose the whereabouts of her boyfriend. (A. Doydora)