Cops seize P2.5-M worth of illegal drugs in Negros island

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Authorities seized a total of P2,544,010 worth of suspected shabu and suspected marijuana in separate anti-illegal drug operations in Negros island from January 6 to 16.

A woman from Negros Oriental allegedly yielded about 120 grams of suspected shabu worth P816,000 in an apartment at Barangay Candau-ay last Wednesday.

Armed with a search warrant, Dumaguete City Police Station, Provincial Intelligence Branch, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency raided the apartment of Kirstie Amigo, 28, a high value target in Central Visayas. Police recovered from her five sachets of suspected shabu, and a tin foil.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Wilfredo Alarcon, city police chief, said Amigo is one of the clients of 29-year-old Norman Castillo, who was arrested at Barangay Camanjac. Castillo was previously arrested for the confiscation of 207 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 1,000 grams worth P6.8 million last December 23, 2019.

In Dauin town, Ricky Alabata, 42, a regional level high value target, and Shiela Berondo, 29, a provincial level high value target, both residents of Barangay Poblacion District 1 were arrested last January 13, 2020, for the confiscation of 52 grams of suspected shabu worth P353,600 and suspected marijuana worth P110.

Police seized from them seven sachets of suspected shabu, a plastic pack of suspected dried marijuana leaves, two tooters, a weighing scale, and a plastic container.

In Negros Occidental, P895,300 worth of suspected shabu was confiscated in separate buy-bust operations in 13 various areas.

These areas include the cities of Victorias, Silay, Talisay, San Carlos, Bago, Kabankalan, and the municipalities of Hinoba-an, Manapla, Cauayan, Ilog, Hinigaran, Pontevedra, and Toboso.

In Bacolod City, an estimated P479,000 worth of suspected shabu was recovered in separate drug busts in 11 areas.

Police conducted the operations in Barangays 3, 8, 14, 22, 27, 38, Granada, Singcang-Airport, Mansilingan, Felisa, and Tangub.