PHP14-M Shabu Seized, Four Arrested in Negros

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Authorities seized PHP14.042 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested four individuals in separate anti-drug operations in this city and Negros Occidental on April 7 and 8.

The largest haul came from a 23-year-old unemployed man identified as “Khent,” a resident of Barangay Suba, Calatrava town, who was caught with two kilos of suspected shabu worth PHP13.6 million in Barangay Bantayanon on Monday night.

Agent Bamboo of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-6 Regional Special Enforcement Team–Bravo said the suspect was allegedly in possession of two vacuum-sealed plastic packs containing shabu, similar to the Chinese tea bag packaging seen in previous seizures.

This time, the packaging was marked with a print resembling either durian or jackfruit, he added.

The suspect was previously arrested for a drug-related offense and is now being investigated as a possible drug courier operating in the province.

Bamboo said the recovered drugs were intended for local distribution, although the source of the supply remains undisclosed pending follow-up operations.

He added the suspect may have been storing illegal drugs as backup in case of a supply shortage.

Investigators are now working to identify other possible players in the operation and determine whether the suspect is linked to a drug syndicate, given the volume of the confiscated narcotics.

Also seized from the suspect were PHP2,000,100 in boodle money, two aluminum plastic packs, a red eco-bag, and a brown paper bag.

On Tuesday morning, operatives from the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) apprehended three individuals in Barangay Cabug for possession of 65 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP442,000.

The suspects were identified as “Kiel,” 44, and his two companions — “Silveno,” 29, and “Ken,” 37 — all residents of Barangay Cabug.

Police Lt. Richard Legada, assistant chief of the CDEU, said Kiel was the primary target of the operation and is considered a high-value individual, while the others were classified as street-level individuals.

Legada said Kiel allegedly sourced the drugs from other barangays and resold them to clients in Barangay Cabug.

He noted that Silveno had previously been arrested for drug use and was released after serving his sentence.

On April 4, police also arrested a 24-year-old laborer identified as “Jonie” in Barangay San Isidro, Pontevedra town, after he was caught with 50 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP340,000.