Ex-soldier, six others nabbed with PHP1.4-M shabu

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Seven individuals, including a former soldier, were arrested in separate anti-drug operations in Negros Occidental on Aug. 5 and 6, with authorities seizing a total of PHP1,448,400 worth of suspected shabu.

A 20-year-old man who had just returned from Manila allegedly yielded PHP884,000 worth of illegal drugs during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 10 on Wednesday morning.

Operatives from the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) arrested the suspect, identified only as “Richard,” a resident of the village, after recovering approximately 130 grams of suspected shabu.

Police Lt. Richard Legada, assistant CDEU chief, said the suspect had been in Bacolod for about two weeks prior to the operation.

Although he was not listed in the barangay’s drug watchlist, he was tagged as a high-value individual.

Legada added that investigators received information alleging the suspect had been offered 50 grams of illegal drugs by another high-value target already in custody, allowing him to resell the contraband at a profit.

Investigation into the transaction is ongoing.

In Sagay City, police also arrested a 45-year-old man identified as “Ernie” from Barangay Poblacion 1 during a buy-bust operation in the same village late Wednesday morning.

Authorities confiscated 58 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP394,400 from the suspect, who was also classified as a high-value individual.

In Kabankalan City, a former soldier and four others were apprehended in a drug operation in Barangay 6 on Tuesday afternoon.

Police Lt. Col. Roberto Indiape Jr., chief of the Kabankalan City Police Station, identified the main suspect as alias “Tanker,” 50, of Barangay Hilamonan.

His companions were identified as “July,” 32, and “Grepil,” 45, both of Barangay Binicuil; “Garry,” 33, of Barangay Camingawan; and “Sarge,” 40, a former soldier from Barangay Su-ay, Himamaylan City.

Indiape said over 10 individuals were found allegedly engaging in illegal drug activity in an open area of Barangay 6 during the operation, though several suspects escaped due to the number of people present.

He added that authorities had been tracking Tanker and Sarge for some time, but the pair had been moving frequently, making it difficult to apprehend them earlier.

Sarge reportedly introduced himself as an active-duty soldier, though he had already gone absent without official leave (AWOL), Indiape said.

Police recovered 25 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP170,000, along with an improvised glass tooter and a plastic straw scoop.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), commended the operatives for their swift and coordinated action.

“These successful operations reflect the unwavering commitment of our personnel in the relentless fight against illegal drugs,” Ibay said in a statement.

He also praised the dedication, alertness, and bravery of the officers involved.