Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jun 2004
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2004
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Christina Mendez

MOST NOTORIOUS DRUG PUSHER IN BULACAN NABBED

The most notorious drug pusher in Bulacan is now under the custody of the 
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Chief Inspector Abraham Rafanan, head of the Bulacan CIDG team, said the 
suspect, Cliffor Cruz, was nabbed by policemen when he got stuck in a 
traffic jam after a buy-bust operation in Bulacan the other day.

Rafanan said Cruz is now confined at the intensive care unit of the St. 
Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City because of a serious bullet wound in 
the head.

Cruz was the subject of the buy-bust operation conducted by Rafanan's team 
in front of the Meralco Provincial Office in Barangay Agnaya, Plaridel, 
Bulacan.

Apart from his illegal drug activities, Cruz gained notoriety for allegedly 
killing one of his colleagues in the drug trade in the province sometime in 
2002. The regional trial court in Malolos, Bulacan has issued a warrant of 
arrest for the suspect for the murder.

Police said the suspect sensed that he was dealing with undercover cops 
shortly after he received a P40,000 payment for illegal drugs. Cruz then 
sped away onboard a grey Toyota passenger car while Senior Inspector 
Wilfredo Alfonso signaled his men to make the arrest.

One of the policemen, SPO4 Romeo Torqueza, suffered bruises after he was 
almost ran over by Cruz's speeding car.

Following a brief chase, Cruz took a wrong turn in a clogged street in 
Plaridel. He tried to flee on foot but he was sprayed with gunfire by the 
pursuing lawmen. Cruz fought back but he was hit in the head and body.

 From the Bulacan Plaridel hospital where he received initial treatment, 
Cruz was brought to the St. Luke's Hospital in Quezon City. The police 
seized from the suspect a caliber .38 revolver, P71,000 in cash, a 
cellphone, 23.103 grams of shabu in a sachet, a digital weighing scale, a 
police identification card with his photo and name, and a bag clothes.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart