Over PHP900,000 in ‘Shabu’ Seized in Five Days

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Police arrested 11 individuals and seized PHP928,300 worth of suspected shabu in seven buy-bust operations in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental from July 2 to 6.

The largest seizure occurred in the province, totaling PHP588,300 and resulting in the arrest of nine suspects.

These operations took place in the towns of Pontevedra and E.B. Magalona, and the cities of Silay, Victorias and Kabankalan.

In Bacolod City, the City Drug Enforcement Unit arrested two suspects and confiscated 50 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP340,000 during a buy-bust in Barangay Taculing early Sunday.

Police Lt. Richard Legada, assistant chief of the unit, said the targets were “Mamang,” 41, of Barangay 14, and his helper “Jomarie,” 42, of Barangay Taculing.

Police identified Mamang as a high-value individual and Jomarie as a street-level individual.

Legada said it was the first time both suspects were arrested for drug-related offenses and that they were not on the barangay drug watchlist.

He said Mamang was reportedly involved in prostitution and illegal drug activity.

Police also allegedly recovered drugs from Jomarie’s possession.