• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A series of anti-drug operations in Negros Occidental led to the arrest of 24 drug suspects and the recovery of about P480,000 worth of illegal drugs and firearms, police reports showed.
Four drug suspects were arrested on Feb. 11 in Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City.
The operation yielded about 40 grams of suspected shabu valued at P272,000, and a caliber 9mm pistol with ammunition.
On the same day, simultaneous buy-bust operations in Escalante and Sagay cities led to the apprehension of five drug suspects, and the recovery of a caliber .38 and 357 revolvers with ammunition, along with more than P45,000 worth of illegal drugs.
The 15 other drug suspects, one of them a businesswoman, were apprehended by the police in the cities of La Carlota, Cadiz, Silay, Bago and Talisay as well as in the municipalities of Manapla and Ilog.
Their arrests also yielded suspected shabu totaling P163,000, according to police reports.
The drug suspects are facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.
Three of them will also be charged for illegal possession of firearms. | GB
