BCPO continues huge drug haul at MassKara

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — As this year’s MassKara Festival reaches the midpoint of its celebration, the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is committed to safeguard the public through sustained anti-drug operations and visible policing efforts, following the confiscation of about PHP 1 million worth of suspected shabu in the past two days.

A 33-year-old man identified as “Luis,” of Barangay Singcang-Airport here, was arrested in a drug bust in Barangay 8 past midnight on Friday, with the seizure of 100 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 680,000.

Police Major Eugene Tolentino, head of Police Station 2, said the suspect has been monitored since last year, and police continue to check his background.

During the police operatives’ initial attempt to transact, the suspect claimed to have no available stocks but assured that he would make contact once his supply was replenished, according to PRO-NIR.

In a follow-up meeting, the buy-bust operation was immediately carried out when the suspect handed over suspected shabu to a police agent for PHP 50,000 in boodle/marked money, and the suspect is detained at Police Station 2.

Also arrested was 44-year-old “Conrado” in a drug bust in Barangay 13, Victorias City, Negros Occidental, with the recovery of 51 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 346,800 on Thursday.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, commended the personnel for its relentless performance.

The regional office said this heightened campaign forms part of PRO-NIR’s comprehensive security measures during the festival period, aimed at maintaining peace, order, and public safety amid the influx of local and foreign tourists in the city.

On top of the recent drug haul, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has seized PHP 5.4 million worth of suspected shabu since Oct. 1.