P646,000 in ‘shabu’ seized, four persons arrested

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Four persons were arrested for possessing P646,000 worth of suspected shabu in two separate anti-illegal drugs operations here last Sunday.

The first buy-bust operation was conducted at Purok Lampirong, Barangay 2, which resulted in the apprehension of Elmann Mundo, 39; and April Lloyd Lobaton, 43, both residents of Barangay Estefania here.

Police Major Sherlock Gabana, head of Police Station 2, said that Mundo was a high value individual (HVI) in the illegal drug trade while Lobaton is a street level target.

Police seized from them 31 grams of suspected shabu worth P434,000, P3,000 boodle or fake money, digital weighing scale, an improvised tooter, P1,000 cash, and a Toyota Innova owned by Lobaton.

Gabana said that Lobaton served as Mundo’s driver during their drug transaction.

 

“They go mobile within Bacolod and in the cities of Talisay and Bago to meet with their clients,” he added.

 

Gabana said that the two suspects refused to reveal the source of their drug supply.

Mundo will be facing charges for the sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs while Lobaton will be charged for illegal possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia. Both suspects are detained at the police station.

Meanwhile, Gabana said that while one of their police agents was transacting with Mundo, two other persons were also dealing with the suspect to allegedly buy shabu.

However, Mundo’s two customers probably noticed the presence of police operatives since the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) was also operating in the area.

Gabana said that Mundo’s customers on board an Isuzu Crosswind attempted to hit the police vehicle during their escape, prompting the policemen to fire at their front left tire. A brief chase followed until they were cornered in front of a shopping mall along Araneta Street.

Motorists and even commuters who passed by the area took a video and photos of the scenario and posted it on Facebook, prompting the police to immediately clarify that it was an anti-illegal drug operation.

Police later identified the suspects as Antonio Enrique Locsin IV, 22, of Talisay City, Negros Occidental, a newly identified drug personality; and Paolo Togle, 40, of Barangay Villamonte here.

Authorities confiscated from them 15 grams of suspected shabu worth P212,000, an improvised tooter, a .38 caliber and two live ammunition.

Both suspects are detained at Police Station 8 for the filing of drug charges.