More shabu intercepted during MassKara Festival

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police here continue to intercept large volumes of illegal drugs amid the ongoing MassKara Festival, following the seizure of more than PHP 3,500,000 worth of suspected shabu in three buy-bust operations on Thursday.

The Bacolod City Police Office seized approximately 522 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 3,550,000 and apprehended five high-value individuals (HVIs).

The first operation was conducted by Police Station 8 in Barangay Singcang–Airport at 7:29 p.m., leading to the arrest of “Pindot,” 27, of Barangay Banago, with 170 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 1,156,000 confiscated.

Another operation at 7:35 p.m. by the City Drug Enforcement Unit in Barangay 40 resulted in the arrest of “Kwa-Kwa,” 41, of Barangay Mandalagan, and the recovery of 100 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 680,000.

Police Lt. Richard Legada, assistant CDEU chief, said “Kwa-Kwa” was arrested in 2017 for a drug offense and was released in 2021.

An hour later, Police Station 2 arrested three drug personalities in Barangay 1 at 8:48 p.m., leading to the arrests of “Mark,” 21, of Barangay 2, “Reniel,” 22, of Barangay Banago, and “Dave,” 23, of Barangay Bata, who allegedly yielded 250 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 1,700,000.

Both “Mark” and “Reniel” were tagged as HVIs, while “Dave” was considered a street-level individual (SLI).

Adding to the accomplishment was the recovery of suspected shabu worth PHP 14,000 from a 47-year-old man who voluntarily turned over the contraband to Police Station 6 after finding it on the street.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region, said they will not allow illegal drugs to cast a shadow on the MassKara celebration or endanger the lives of the people.

“These operations are proof of our relentless commitment to protect the community and ensure that Bacolod City remains safe, vibrant, and drug-free,” he said.

The recent haul followed the PHP 1,900,000 drug seizure by the BCPO on Wednesday and the arrest of two high-value drug personalities in separate operations.

The regional office assured the public that intensified police visibility and proactive operations will continue throughout the MassKara Festival to ensure a safe, secure, and peaceful celebration.