Couple and waiter caught with P204,000 worth of ‘shabu’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Approximately 30 grams of suspected shabu – valued at P204,000 – were confiscated from a couple and a waiter during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 5, Victorias City, Negros Occidental on Monday.

The police have not disclosed the identities of the 45-year-old male, his 55-year-old live-in partner, and their 21-year-old suspected drug runner.

Police Major Joy Ellaga, deputy chief of the Victorias City Police Station, stated that the main suspect had been previously arrested for a drug-related offense in 2016 but gained release through plea bargaining.

Recent intelligence about the man’s alleged involvement in the large-scale distribution of illegal drugs prompted continued surveillance, Ellaga revealed.

“It took months of monitoring before we could initiate an operation against him,” Ellaga said, noting that the narcotics are believed to have been locally sourced.

Ellaga explained that the primary suspect is considered a street-level drug dealer, and his associates were recently identified as involved.

Charges are being prepared against them, with the main suspect facing sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia, while the others may face charges of illegal drug possession and use.