P1 million shabu seized, 11 arrested in Bacolod bust

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – A series of raids in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental on March 8 and 9 resulted in the arrest of eleven individuals and the confiscation of P1,024,080 worth of suspected shabu.

Three suspects in Bacolod City were found with P727,600 worth of the illicit substance while operations in the surrounding province netted P296,480 worth from eight individuals, one of whom is a city employee on a job order basis.

Nelbert Rivera Sr., 32, from Bago City, was caught with 51 grams of suspected shabu valued at P346,800 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sum-ag last Saturday.

Captain Joven Mogato, head of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), said Rivera, previously incarcerated for drug offenses, had allegedly resumed his involvement in the narcotics trade after his release.

Mogato reported that despite extensive surveillance, Rivera consistently evaded arrest by moving locations, until authorities successfully captured him over the weekend.

Another operation on Friday led to the arrest of Jay Ar Dela Cruz, 31, from Barangay 27, who was found with 50 grams of suspected shabu worth P340,000 in Barangay 20, where he was temporarily living.

Police Station 4’s records indicate that Dela Cruz was previously arrested for drug-related charges in 2018 and was released in December 2023 through a plea bargaining agreement.