Cops Seize PHP1.6M in Illegal Drugs, Arrest 8 in Negros

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Authorities arrested eight people and seized PHP1,606,900 worth of suspected shabu in buy-bust operations here and in three areas in Negros Occidental from Feb. 13 to 15.

The biggest drug haul came from a Calatrava Municipal Police Station operation that led to the arrest of alias “Nene,” 56, and alias “Abu,” 22, both residents of Barangay Minapasuk.

They were caught Saturday in Barangay Mina-utok with 83 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP564,400.

Police Maj. Wilfredo Benoman Jr., Calatrava police chief, said the suspects, both classified as high-value individuals (HVIs), were monitored based on a community report.

Authorities recovered from Nene:

• Two sachets of suspected shabu
• .38-caliber revolver loaded with four rounds of live ammunition
• PHP500 in marked money
• Revolver holster
• PHP3,000 cash

Abu was found in possession of:

• .45 caliber pistol with a magazine loaded with two rounds of ammunition
• Three sachets of suspected shabu
• PHP870 cash

Both suspects will be charged with illegal drug possession and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition in violation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban.

Other Drug Busts in Negros

On Feb. 14, Police Station 4 arrested alias “Albert,” 31, and “John,” 19, both residents of Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City.

Authorities confiscated 65 grams of shabu worth PHP442,000.

Albert, an HVI, will be charged with sale and possession of illegal drugs, while John will face possession charges.

In Murcia town, a 19-year-old suspect was arrested Friday in Barangay Salvacion, where 20 grams of shabu worth PHP136,000 were seized in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

On Feb. 15, two suspects were caught in Bangga Daan, Barangay 1, Victorias City, with 40 grams of shabu valued at PHP272,000.

Their 32-year-old companion managed to escape.

Police recovered 13 sachets of shabu, three improvised tooters, four plastic tubes, and PHP1,000 in marked money.

Meanwhile, the PNP-Drug Enforcement Group and PDEA arrested a 19-year-old suspect in Barangay 10, Bacolod City, for possession of 55 grams of shabu worth PHP192,500.