P1.3-M worth of ‘shabu’ seized in four days, 19 suspects nabbed

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Anti-illegal drug operations continue amid the community quarantine here and in Negros Occidental, which led to the confiscation of P1,347,400 worth of suspected shabu from 19 persons in the past four days.

The biggest drug haul was at Barangay Taculing here Saturday, with a seizure of 55 grams of “shabu” valued at P605,000 from Reynaldo Villaespin, 38, of the said village.

Operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) conducted a buy-bust operation against Villaespin and recovered from him the P500 marked money, 18 sachets of suspected shabu, and P1,000 cash.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, public information officer of BCPO, said Villaespin is considered a high value individual because the seized drugs were more than 10 grams.

Also arrested that day in Silay City was 38-year-old Marvin Santillan of Barangay Hawaiian, after he allegedly yielded 10 grams of suspected shabu worth P150,000, the P500 marked money, and P3,500 boodle or fake money in a buy-bust at the said village.

Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Negros Occidental also arrested Andro Gray Dela Cruz Pada-on, a suspected member of a drug group and a high value target, at Barangay Guinhalaran, Silay City last Saturday.

PDEA agents seized from him 15 grams of suspected shabu worth P102,000.

On June 12, Norvic Nacanaynay, Efren Gonzaga, and Michael Villanueva were arrested by CDEU operatives at Barangay 2 here, which led to the confiscation of 26 grams of suspected shabu worth P286,000, the P500 marked money, and drug paraphernalia.

On the same day, Editha Rose Sepe, 35, and Mariel Salmingo, 22, both residents of Barangay 27 here were arrested by the CDEU operatives in a drug bust at the said village. They yielded five grams of suspected shabu worth P40,000, and the P500 marked money.

PDEA agents also arrested seven persons in a drug bust and dismantled an alleged drug den at Barangay Singcang-Airport on June 11, which resulted in the recovery of 13 grams of suspected shabu worth P88,400.

Police also collared Jocelyn Valencia, Ronnie Taha, Felix Mahinay Jr., Randy Banihit, Joel Salazar, Kris Martin Duff, and Gene Michael Dairo.

Last Thursday, Michael Canlas, 36, and Peter Paul Sarno, 37, both residents of Barangay 2 were arrested in a drug bust at the said village.

Police confiscated from them seven grams of suspected shabu worth P56,000, an improvised tooter, the P100 marked money, and P250 cash. Both suspects are detained at Police Station 2.

On June 10, Ike Pabillo, 41, of Barangay Banago, and Rolando Padilla, 35, of Barangay Taculing were arrested in a buy-bust at Barangay Banago here.

Police seized from them 10 sachets of suspected shabu weighing three grams worth P20,000, the P200 marked money, P400 cash, and drug paraphernalia. Both suspects are detained at Police Station 3.