Mother, daughter nabbed in Bacolod drug sting

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 49-year-old woman is back in jail, this time with her 25-year-old daughter, after they were arrested in a drug bust in Purok Progreso 1, Barangay Vista Alegre, here on Sunday.

Police seized 60 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 408,000 from alias “Esme,” a resident of Barangay 8 here, and alias “Bambam” of Barangay Vista Alegre.

Police Lt. Richard Legada, assistant head of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), said the operation was carried out against the subject Bambam.

Both suspects were classified as high-value individuals.

Legada said Esme was arrested for a drug offense in 2021 and was released in November last year. She was also listed in the barangay anti-drug abuse council (BADAC).

It was the first time for Bambam to be arrested for the said offense, following reports of her alleged illegal drug activity in conspiracy with her mother, according to Legada.

The buy-bust operation was conducted after three weeks of monitoring and validation.

According to the CDEU, Bambam allegedly sold shabu to a police agent for PHP 1,000 during the transaction.

Legada said the illegal drug activity served as the alleged livelihood of the two suspects, who are detained at Police Station 7.

The Bacolod City Police Office reiterated its commitment to sustain aggressive anti-drug operations and ensure that individuals involved in the illegal drug trade are brought to justice.

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) underscored the crucial role of community participation in the success of such operations.

Meanwhile, a 38-year-old man tagged as a high-value individual was also apprehended in a drug bust that yielded 61 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 414,800 in Barangay Poblacion, Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on Sunday.

Police reported that the suspect, identified as alias “Shakira,” had been previously arrested for a drug offense.

According to PRO-NIR, the seizure effectively prevented the further distribution of illegal drugs in the community and underscored the sustained operational momentum of the regional office in safeguarding public safety.

Under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the sale and possession of illegal drugs carry penalties ranging from life imprisonment to a fine of up to PHP 10 million, depending on the quantity seized.