P1.020-M in ‘shabu’ seized in Neg.Or.

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Negros Oriental seized around 150 grams of suspected shabu worth P1,020,000 in a drug raid at Barangay Calindagan, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental last Saturday.

PDEA agents together with the Dumaguete City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) applied a search warrant against 25-year-old Jhaya Aguilar.

PDEA-Negros Oriental head Francisfil Tangeres said they raided Aguilar’s house following the arrest of her elder sibling in a drug bust last month that resulted in the recovery of P680,000 worth of suspected shabu.

Tangeres said they found a connection between the two siblings in the alleged illegal drug trade.

Aguilar’s brother was released through plea bargaining in February this year, but was again arrested seven months later, he added.

Tangeres said they learned that the two siblings are allegedly part of a small-time drug group operating in the province.

Tangeres said they suspect that the recovered contraband from Aguilar may have been sourced out from a contact at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, where her father was jailed for 10 years.

Aguilar’s father was convicted for a drug offense but was released in August this year due to some technicalities cited by the higher court, the PDEA official said.

Tangeres said the illegal drugs are transported to the province through a courier service and are being distributed to their clients within the city.

Tangeres said they are continuously intensifying their inspection in seaports or even in cargoes to prevent the entry of the contraband.

Charges for illegal possession of dangerous drugs are being readied against Aguilar who is detained at Dumaguete City Police Station.

Meanwhile, Tangeres said that Aguilar refused to comment on the allegations against her when asked by the media.