• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region and the Bacolod City Police Office seized about P7.2 million in suspected shabu and arrested five in two buy-bust operations in barangays 24 and 8 Saturday and Sunday.
The PDEA-NIR said that a pack of teabag, containing suspected shabu and weighing around a kilo, worth P6,800,000, was seized from three suspects in a buy-bust operation in Purok Masinadyahon, Brgy. 24, at about 11:15 a.m. May 16.
The buy-bust money, three cellular phones, and a red Toyota Vios were also recovered from suspects “Rolly”, 23, and “Alex”, 19, both of Purok Kamoteng Kahoy; and “Gabrielle”, 23, of Purok Uraro, all in Brgy. 4, Bacolod.
Police Station 2 operatives, meanwhile, confiscated around 60 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P408,000, from “Angel”, 32, and “John”, 23, both of Purok Maanyag in Brgy. Alijis, in a buy-bust at about 12:05 a.m. May 17 in Purok Narra Baybay, Brgy. 8.
The five suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
In Negros Oriental, authorities also seized nearly P7 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested a high-value drug personality during a buy-bust in Zamboanguita on May 16.
Operatives from the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, supported by the PDEA and the Zamboanguita Municipal Police Station, arrested alias “Kitt”, 38, of Purok 7, Katrina Homes in Barangay Batinguel, Dumaguete City.
Police said the operation in Sitio Capagongan, Barangay Poblacion stemmed from intelligence reports and surveillance operations indicating that the suspect, who was previously arrested for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, resumed his involvement in the illegal drug trade.
With the assistance of a confidential informant, undercover operatives arranged a drug transaction that eventually led to his arrest using a buy-bust money consisting of one genuine P1,000 bill and 49 boodle bills.
Operatives confiscated 1.018 kilograms of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P6.925 million. | GB
