Police seize P1.2-M worth of ‘shabu’ in three days

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — Police confiscated a total of P1,271,600 worth of suspected shabu from two individuals in separate operations over the past three days.

The largest drug bust occurred early on Sept. 12 at Purok Pablo Torre, Barangay Vista Alegre, where authorities seized P918,000 worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or “shabu.” The City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) arrested a suspect identified as “Stephen,” 45, a resident of Barangay 22, who is temporarily staying in Barangay Vista Alegre.

The suspect is considered a high-value individual (HVI) due to the volume of drugs recovered, which weighed 135 grams. Police also confiscated P1,000 in marked money and a digital weighing scale. Additional details about the case have not yet been provided.

On Sept. 10, another operation led to the arrest of a 54-year-old man at Purok Lubi, Barangay 3. Police seized 52 grams of suspected shabu worth P353,600.

Police Major Eugene Tolentino, head of Police Station 2, said the suspect had been previously arrested for a drug offense and was released in 2018 after serving his sentence. Tolentino noted that it took years of surveillance to gather enough evidence to launch the operation.

Charges for the sale and possession of illegal drugs were filed against the suspect on Wednesday.