Isabela village councilor nabbed for illegal drugs

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 41-year-old village councilor was arrested in a drug bust in Barangay 1, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, years after he previously surrendered through “Oplan Tokhang.”

Police Maj. Ryan Villasario, chief of the Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station, identified the suspect as “Lemuel,” a resident of Barangay 6, Isabela town.

Villasario said the barangay official was subjected to a few weeks of monitoring following a report that he allegedly distributes illegal drugs in Moises Padilla.

The suspect was categorized as a high-value individual and was listed in the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council in his hometown, according to Villasario.

Police seized PHP 27,200 worth of suspected shabu from the suspect.

Villasario said they are probing the source of the recovered contraband.

The suspect did not disclose to authorities why he allegedly got involved in illegal drugs.

Villasario speculated that the suspect might need extra income, which pushed him to engage in the illegal activity.