HVI nabbed with PHP 1.26 million shabu in Roxas

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A high-value individual (HVI) was arrested in an intelligence-driven buy-bust operation early Friday, Aug. 28, in Barangay Sibaguan, Roxas City.

Operatives identified the suspect as alias “Toto,” 47, single, and a resident of Barangay Guba, Pontevedra, Capiz.

Reports from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU 6), which led the operation, said the suspect was arrested after allegedly handing a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP 14,000 to a police poseur-buyer.

Also recovered from the suspect were 16 more heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets and two packs of plastic bags containing suspected shabu weighing about 185 grams, with a standard drug price of PHP 1.258 million.

Reports said that based on a prevailing street price of PHP 6,000 per gram, the recovered illegal drugs would be worth PHP 1.11 million.

Police also recovered the PHP 14,000 buy-bust money, PHP 1,050 in cash, a cellphone, a black coin purse, several empty sachets, and a red Rusi motorcycle with no pertinent documents and bearing a temporary plate number.

The inventory was witnessed by former Barangay Kagawad Gary D. Blancaflor of Sitio Pangaywan, Barangay Tacas, Pontevedra, and a media representative from RMN DYVR Roxas.

The operation, conducted around 12:30 a.m., was jointly carried out by RPDEU 6 as the lead unit, the Regional Intelligence Division 6, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group’s Special Operations Unit 6, and the Roxas City Police Station.

Alias “Toto” underwent a medical examination before he was brought to the police station for booking and the filing of complaints for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

RA 9165 penalizes the sale, distribution, delivery, and possession of prohibited drugs.