BHW, high-value target nabbed in twin Capiz drug busts

By Felipe V. Celino

PONTEVEDRA, Capiz – A barangay health worker who is also tagged as a high-value individual (HVI) was arrested in a drug buy-bust operation on Saturday night, Jan. 24, in Barangay Rizal, Pontevedra, Capiz.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Toto,” 48, a college graduate and resident of Barangay Rizal.

Recovered from the suspect were six plastic sachets of suspected shabu weighing 45 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP 306,000 based on the prevailing rate of PHP 3,500 per gram.

Authorities also seized a .38-caliber revolver without a serial number and four live rounds of ammunition.

The suspect is currently in the custody of the Pontevedra Municipal Police Station. Charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) are being prepared against him.

Police said the suspect had been listed in the drug watch list of both the Pontevedra police and Barangay Rizal, prompting the coordinated buy-bust operation.

On the same day, another high-value individual was arrested in a separate drug buy-bust operation Saturday evening, Jan. 24, in Barangay Linao, Panay, Capiz.

Joint operatives from the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PNP DEG) and the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of Panay Municipal Police Station arrested alias “Marvin,” 29, of Barangay Daga, Panay.

A police poseur buyer reportedly purchased one sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP 6,000 from the suspect.

Following the arrest, police also recovered six more large sachets of suspected shabu weighing 115 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP 782,000, a brown pouch, and a Realme cellphone.

The suspect is currently detained at the Panay Municipal Police Station. Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 are being prepared against him.