P2.3-M ‘shabu’ seized from two brothers, two others

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Four individuals, including two brothers, were arrested after 350 grams of suspected shabu, valued at PHP2.38 million, were seized in a buy-bust operation early Thursday at Purok Himaya, Barangay Mansilingan.

The arrested individuals were “John,” 23, his brother “Junjie,” 36, their cousin “Jesus,” 32, and their companion “Jezelle,” 29, all residents of Barangay Mansilingan.

Police Lt. Col. Antonio Benitez Jr., head of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), said Junjie was the primary target of the operation.

All four suspects have been classified as high-value individuals due to the large quantity of drugs recovered, he added.

Benitez stated that Junjie had been under a two-week surveillance after complaints about his alleged involvement in illegal drug activities in the area.

He also noted that Junjie’s three companions were allegedly collaborating with him in the drug trade.

Junjie had previously been jailed for murder but was released after serving his sentence, according to Benitez.

Benitez speculated that with recent large drug seizures by the CDEU, suspects might be stockpiling supplies in preparation for the MassKara Festival next month.

He emphasized that authorities are intensifying efforts to prevent the entry and spread of illegal drugs during the festival.