PHP 6.8 million shabu seized in Bacolod drug bust

BACOLOD CITY — Operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) arrested a 25-year-old man who reportedly sourced illegal drugs from Mindanao following the recovery of PHP 6.8 million worth of suspected shabu in a drug bust in Barangay 31 here on Saturday.

The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) identified the suspect as alias “Jak,” who allegedly yielded 1,000 grams of the contraband.

Police Lt. Col. Roberto Indiape, CDEU head, said they had been monitoring the suspect since last year after his name was mentioned by previously arrested drug suspects.

However, Indiape said the suspect is classified as a newly identified individual and a high-value individual because of the large volume of drugs recovered.

The suspect is detained at Police Station 6 pending the filing of drug charges.

Indiape said the recovered contraband had just arrived in Bacolod when authorities launched the operation against the suspect.

He added that police are verifying other information revealed by the suspect.

According to PRO-NIR intelligence, the suspected drug supply was allegedly intended for distribution during the upcoming MassKara Festival in October and was reportedly delivered by the suspect’s source from Lanao and Marawi.

Unidentified individuals were also observed frequently entering and leaving the premises.

In a statement, Police Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales, acting PRO-NIR director, said the recent operation sends a clear message that their campaign against illegal drugs will not relent, stressing their continued determination to dismantle the illegal drug trade through sustained, intelligence-driven, and coordinated police operations.

“We will continue to pursue those who bring illegal drugs into our communities, disrupt the networks that sustain this illegal trade, and prevent these substances from reaching our streets and causing harm to the people,” Reales said, adding that their responsibility does not end with an arrest.

By intercepting illegal drugs before they reach the streets, police seek to prevent their potential contribution to other criminal activities and safeguard the public during major gatherings and celebrations.

Reales said they will remain firm, persistent, and decisive in protecting the people of the Negros Island Region while ensuring that every police action is carried out lawfully, professionally, and with due respect for due process.

Meanwhile, three people, including two teenagers, were apprehended by police in a drug bust in Barangay Tangub here on Friday, leading to the confiscation of 49.82 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 338,776.

In Negros Oriental, a 42-year-old man was also caught by authorities with 25 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 170,000 in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Batinguel, Dumaguete City, on Thursday.