PHP 12.9 million shabu seized, 21 nabbed

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region arrested 21 individuals and confiscated PHP 12,939,960 worth of suspected shabu in separate anti-drug operations in Negros Occidental, including this city, and Negros Oriental from Aug. 4 to 16.

The biggest drug haul came from a PDEA-NIR operation in which a 41-year-old driver from Barangay Bata here was arrested with 620 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 4.2 million in Barangay Villamonte on Saturday.

It was followed by the arrest of a 21-year-old virtual assistant with 350 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 2.3 million in Barangay 12 here on Sunday.

On Aug. 14, authorities also seized 335.87 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 2.2 million from a 27-year-old store owner in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Other buy-bust operations resulted in the seizure of PHP 680,000 worth of suspected shabu each in Barangay Alijis here on Sunday and Barangay 33 here on Aug. 4, with three individuals arrested, including a teenager.

Police also conducted anti-illegal drug operations in Himamaylan City, E.B. Magalona, Escalante City, and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental; Barangays 9, 27, and 39 here; and Sibulan, Negros Oriental, resulting in the seizure of a total of PHP 2.7 million worth of suspected shabu and the arrest of 15 people.

According to PRO-NIR, the substantial volume of suspected shabu recovered represents a significant disruption to the illegal drug supply and underscores the effectiveness of the region’s intelligence-driven and targeted law enforcement operations.

“We will remain relentless, intelligence-driven, and uncompromising in pursuing those who profit from the illegal drug trade,” said Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-NIR director.