P578,000 shabu seized, three arrested in Bacolod

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – A former jeepney driver and his two alleged accomplices were arrested in a buy-bust operation that yielded 85 grams of suspected shabu worth P578,000 at Purok Sulom Dos, Barangay Villamonte, on Monday.

Operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) arrested alias “Pirot,” 54, a former jeepney driver, along with his two companions, aged 27 and 28, all residents of the same village.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., CDEU head, stated that “Pirot” was previously arrested for a drug offense in 2011 and was released from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City in 2020.

Benitez mentioned that complaints had been lodged against “Pirot” regarding his alleged illegal activities, as unfamiliar faces were frequently seen entering and leaving his house.

Police verified the information and monitored the suspect for more than two weeks before launching the operation.

Benitez added that the suspect’s illegal drug activities were sporadic, as he would sometimes relocate to other places.

Authorities also confiscated P1,000 in marked money, a weighing scale, a pouch, a bag, and a canister from the suspects.

Benitez noted that “Pirot,” a high-value individual, will be charged with the sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs, while his two companions may face conspiracy charges.