A would-be seaman who was supposedly set for departure abroad in the following weeks and his alleged cohort in the drug trade were arrested by police in two successive anti-drug operations in Dauis on Thursday night.

Nautical school graduate Cris Clenuar, 34, and Richard Bonggot, 31, both residents of Barangay Lourdes in Panglao were collared through separate buy-bust operations in Dauis and were allegedly caught in possession of shabu worth a total of P77,520.

Police first arrested Clenuar in Barangay Mariveles and immediately after apprehended Bonggot in Barangay Tinago.

According to Dauis police chief Captain Robert Lucernas, both men were selling large quantities of shabu in Dauis and Panglao.

The duo also allegedly sold illegal drugs to foreign tourists.

Meanwhile, Clenuar told authorities that he is not a drug user and that he was only given orders to peddle the illegal drugs, saying that he was forced to do it to provide for his family.

Both men are now detained at the Dauis Police Station pending the filing of charges against them for sale and possession of illegal drugs. (wm)