P170,000 worth of ‘shabu’ seized in Silay

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Three persons were arrested by police in separate buy-bust operations in Silay City, Negros Occidental on October 6 and 9.

The recent operation led to the arrest of Michelle Oftana, 24, of Barangay 4; and her brother-in-law Joshua Junsay, 21, of Barangay Guinhalaran.

Police Major Rhea Sarah Villanueva, officer-in-charge of Silay City Police Station, said these suspects allegedly yielded 14 grams of suspected shabu worth P95,200, and the P2,800 marked money.

Villanueva said they recently received information about the suspects’ alleged engagement in the illegal drug trade, prompting them to monitor and launch the operation against them at Purok Nasuok, Sitio Cubay, Barangay Guinhalaran last Monday.

Oftana is a street level individual while Junsay is a newly-identified individual, according to the police.

Villanueva said that Oftana reunited with her live-in partner in jail after 24-year-old Joseph Garrucho was earlier arrested along with two companions for robbery on October 5.

A firearm was recovered from Garrucho while P81,600 worth of suspected shabu was also confiscated from him and his companion after they allegedly robbed a gasoline station in Barangay Guinhalaran.

Last week, a 28-year-old man was also apprehended in Barangay Lantad, for the confiscation of 11 grams of suspected shabu worth P74,800, and the P1,500 marked money.

Police identified the suspect as Jude Maxell Namuag of Barangay Mambulac, a street level individual.

Villanueva said the suspect was subjected to a buy-bust after his name was mentioned by some previously arrested drug suspects.

Villanueva said they then conducted monitoring to verify the information and later launched the operation against him.