PHP2.1 Million in ‘Shabu’ Seized in One Week

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Authorities here and in Negros Occidental confiscated a total of PHP2,155,600 worth of suspected shabu from June 9 to 15.

The largest drug bust was conducted by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) in Barangay Singcang-Airport on Sunday, resulting in the arrest of a 40-year-old man and the seizure of 170 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP1,156,000.

Police Lt. Richard Legada, assistant CDEU chief, said the suspect, alias “Toto,” a resident of Barangay 2, was previously arrested in 2020 for a drug offense and released in 2023 after the case was dismissed.

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has tagged him as a high-value individual and said he will face similar charges following his latest arrest.

The BCPO reaffirmed its commitment to intensify the anti-illegal drug campaign to curb the spread of narcotics in the community.

From June 2 to 8, BCPO reported 12 arrests and 11 operations, leading to the seizure of 196.9 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP1.3 million.

In Negros Occidental, police arrested six individuals in separate operations in four localities, recovering PHP999,600 worth of suspected shabu.

In Pontevedra town, police arrested a 34-year-old man in Barangay Don Salvador Benedicto during a gun raid on Saturday.

Authorities, armed with a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, discovered 75 grams of suspected shabu in plain view, estimated at PHP510,000.

Also seized from the suspect were a .38-caliber revolver, six rounds of ammunition, a pair of scissors, a lighter, a straw scoop, and an improvised stick.

Other drug seizures included PHP102,000 in La Castellana, PHP149,600 in Victorias City, and PHP238,000 in Kabankalan City.

Bukidnon’s Third Most Wanted Falls in Kabankalan

A 38-year-old driver wanted for three counts of estafa in Quezon, Bukidnon, was arrested in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City on Saturday, three days after returning to his wife’s hometown.

The suspect, a Bulacan resident, was served an arrest warrant for estafa in relation to Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 45 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Nov. 24, 2022.

The court set bail at PHP10,000, PHP28,000, and PHP30,000 for each count, respectively, for his temporary liberty.

Police Capt. Sammy Gasataya, deputy chief of the Kabankalan City Police Station, said the suspect claims the charges stemmed from a misunderstanding involving unsettled debt with his aunt.

Police identified him as the third most wanted person in Quezon town, Bukidnon.

Gasataya said the suspect is expected to post bail on Monday, June 16, and will travel back to Quezon to face the charges.