Cop’s sibling, four others fall in drug sting

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — Five persons, including the brother of a policeman, were arrested, leading to the confiscation of P325,600 worth of illegal drugs in separate buy-bust operations in Negros Occidental on June 15 and 18.

In Barangay Guinhalaran, Silay City, police seized 12 grams of suspected shabu worth P81,600 and 50 grams of suspected dried marijuana leaves worth P6,000 from a 27-year-old man from Barangay Guinhalaran and his 19-year-old companion from Barangay Mambulac last Saturday.

The street value of shabu per gram is P6,800, while dried marijuana is valued at P120 per gram, according to the police.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca, city police chief, said residents had complained about these suspects’ alleged illegal activities.

Darroca noted that the elder suspect is the brother of a police officer and the son of a former cop. “He’s stubborn,” Darroca said, adding that he had been warned several times.

Darroca mentioned that the teenage suspect was allegedly acting as a drug runner for the elder suspect.

On the same day, a 43-year-old fruit vendor was also arrested at Sitio Barra, Barangay Mambulac, for the possession of 13 grams of suspected shabu worth P88,400. Darroca indicated that the suspect was the alleged source of a previously arrested drug suspect.

Three days later, a 35-year-old man was apprehended in Barangay Hilamonan, Kabankalan City, after allegedly yielding 11 grams of suspected shabu worth P74,800, a .38 caliber revolver loaded with three live rounds, and a live round of .357 caliber ammunition.

Later that night, police arrested a 20-year-old man in Barangay Tuburan, E.B. Magalona town, seizing 11 grams of suspected shabu worth P74,800.