Capiz pond caretaker nabbed in PHP1M shabu bust

PONTEVEDRA, Capiz — Police arrested a 37-year-old pond caretaker and seized about 155 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 1,054,000 in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tabuc on Aug. 10, 2025.

Authorities identified the suspect only by his alias “Balas,” a resident of Pontevedra who is listed as a high-value individual in the regional drug watchlist.

Operatives from the Pontevedra Municipal Police Station conducted the anti-drug operation around 9:50 p.m. after weeks of surveillance.

Confiscated from the suspect were 22 plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, buy-bust money, and various non-drug paraphernalia allegedly used in the illegal trade.

Police Brig. Gen. Jose Ligan, regional director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6), praised the coordinated effort of law enforcement units.

“This accomplishment reflects our unwavering commitment to cleanse Western Visayas of illegal drugs. Every gram seized means lives saved and communities protected. We will continue to be relentless in our operations until our region becomes a safer place for all,” Ligan said.

PRO6 called on the public to stay vigilant and report any illegal drug activities to their hotline, assuring that all information will be handled with confidentiality.