School principal caught with shabu worth 68K, gun in Samar

UPDATED: A public school principal in Samar was arrested Monday, April 29, after police found three sachets of substance believed to be shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and a gun in his possession during an anti-drug operation.

Photos and with data from the posts of Ms. Eleen Lim

Authorities identified the suspect as Arnulfo Abellar alias “Arnold,” 47, married, residing in Barangay Obreroa, school principal of the Department of Education (DepEd)- Danao 1 Tinambacan District in Calbayog City.

Abellar was cornered by PDEA and PNP operatives near Philippine National Bank in Purok 2, Barangay Obrero after having been allegedly chased from Barangay Carmen at around 8:30 in the evening of April 29, 2019.

Police recovered the "shabu" weighing MOL 10 grams with an estimated market value of P68,000.

Also confiscated from him were one unit of caliber 357 and five pieces of live ammunition, PDEA said in a statement.

Abellar was apprehended in Barangay Carmen in Calbayog City but tried to evade arrest after learning that he was dealing with an undercover police officer.

After a brief chase, Abellar, who is the principal of the Tinambacan District Elementary School in Calbayog City, was eventually arrested in Barangay Obrero.

The school principal will be charged with violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act (RA) 9165 and RA 10591.

Abellar is now temporarily detained at the Calbayog City Police Station lock-up facility.

Abellar has been in the drug list of high-value-targets for quite sometime already. He is currently in the custody of the Calbayog City Police for proper disposition.