Eight fall in crystal meth busts

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Eight persons were arrested in six buy-bust operations here and in three areas in Negros Occidental in the past three days.

The operations led to the seizure of P533,000 worth of suspected shabu or crystal meth.

The biggest haul was made at Barangay Vista Alegre here yesterday, with an estimated P405,000 worth of suspected narcotics seized from Hector Vivas, 23, a newly-identified drug personality; and Eman Jimena, 53, both residents of the said village.

Police recovered from the duo eight sachets of purported shabu weighing 27 grams, the P1,000 marked money, and digital weighing scale. Both suspects are detained at Police Station 3.

Also arrested at the said village last Thursday was Jonathan Bakolod, 52, of the said barangay, after he allegedly yielded about 2.3 grams of suspected shabu worth P16,500, the P300 marked money, and P200 cash.

Bakolod, a newly-identified drug personality is detained at Police Station 5.

Last Wednesday, Moises Cuadra, 18, a street level target, of Barangay 2 here was arrested at Barangay 3 here, for the seizure of 16 sachets of suspected shabu weighing two grams worth P30,000, the P200 marked money, and P950 cash. He is detained at Police Station 2.

In Silay City, Alexander Chavez, 31; and brother Noe Chavez, 32, both residents of Barangay Lantad were arrested at the said village last Wednesday. The operation led to the recovery of four sachets of suspected shabu weighing five grams worth P75,000, drug paraphernalia, the P4,000 boodle money, and P500 marked money.

In Hinigaran town, Benjie Matillano, 41, of Barangay 3 was arrested at Barangay III that day, after police seized from him four sachets of suspected shabu worth P4,000, the P100 marked money, and P530 cash.

Matillano is a level two high value target and an alleged member of a drug group in the town. He is also a priority target in the town, police records indicated.

In Bago City, Jesber Espero, 18, a newly-identified drug personality, of Barangay Pacol was arrested last Thursday, for the confiscation of five sachets of suspected shabu worth P2,500, the P200 marked money, and P50 cash.