More than P500,000 ‘shabu’ seized

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police seized P578,800 worth of suspected shabu here and in Negros Occidental last Thursday.

The bulk of the drug recovery was reported here, following the apprehension of Harem Muleta, 36, of Barangay Aguisan, Himamaylan City, a former security guard. He is a high value individual, according to the police.

Operatives of the City Drugs Enforcement Unit (CDEU) confiscated 70 grams of suspected shabu worth P476,800 from Muleta in Barangay Tangub here.

Police Captain Joven Mogato, CDEU head, said the suspect has alleged links with 44-year-old Rowena Ponce and Jepe Balbon.

Ponce was arrested by CDEU in a drug bust at a rented house in Barangay Mandalagan here on Feb 21. She and her companion allegedly yielded 75 grams of suspected shabu worth P510,000.

Balbon and three others were arrested in a drug bust in Barangay Enclaro, Binalbagan town on June 1, following the seizure of 15 grams of suspected shabu worth P102,000.

Mogato said they have not received information that these persons belong to a drug group, but they are conducting a follow-up investigation.

Police subjected Muleta to the buy-bust after they received information regarding the entry of illegal drugs here from the southern part of the province.

Mogato said the illegal drugs came from outside Western Visayas.

He said they are intensifying their coordination with all the seaports and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to prevent the entry of illegal drugs here.

But, what is challenging is that there are other ways for drug personalities to sneak in the contraband here, he added.

Despite this, he assured that the CDEU is continuously monitoring drug personalities, and strengthening its measures against illegal drugs.

This drug accomplishment came four days after personnel of Police Station 8 seized 800 grams of suspected shabu worth P5.4 million in a buy-bust in Barangay Pahanocoy here on June 18.

Recently, Police Colonel Noel Aliño, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said they are investigating the linkages of arrested drug suspects to determine the sources of the illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, Renan Seban, 38, of Barangay Mambagaton, Himamaylan City, was arrested for the seizure of 15 grams of suspected shabu worth P102,000.

Also confiscated from him were the P500 marked money, an improvised tooter, and a hand grenade.