PHP816,000 shabu seized in Pontevedra drug bust

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A couple was arrested with 120 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 816,000 in Barangay II-Poblacion, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday.

Police identified the suspects as “Chris,” 50, of Kabankalan City, and his live-in partner “Rufa,” 36, of Binalbagan town.

Police Capt. Darryl Kuhutan, chief of the Pontevedra Municipal Police Station, said Chris was the subject of the operation and had been tagged as a high-value individual.

Kuhutan said the couple allegedly conspired to sell the illegal drugs and were reportedly caught repacking the substance during the operation.

The buy-bust was initiated following a tip from a former customer who claimed the suspects were actively selling illegal drugs in the town, according to a report from the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO–NIR).

Kuhutan said the couple had been renting an apartment in Pontevedra for three months, and police had received multiple complaints regarding their suspected activity.

He added that both suspects had previously faced charges for drug-related offenses.

PRO–NIR urged the public to remain vigilant and report any information related to illegal drug operations in their communities.