‘Repeat offender’ caught with PHP 6.8M shabu in Negros

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 42-year-old man was arrested for the third time after allegedly being caught with PHP 6.8 million worth of suspected shabu in Barangay Sulodpan, Bacong, Negros Oriental, on August 27.

Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, spokesperson for Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), said the arrest followed a tip from a confidential informant about the drug activity of “Anthony,” a resident of Dumaguete City.

Authorities confiscated one kilo of suspected shabu, a lighter, and PHP 50,000 in marked money from the suspect, who is considered a high-value individual.

PRO-NIR said the suspect had previously been arrested twice by the Dumaguete City Police Station for drug-related charges.

The latest operation was carried out by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit under the intelligence guidance of the Regional Intelligence Division, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Negros Oriental and the Police Drug Enforcement Group–Special Operations Group.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, said the arrest significantly disrupts drug syndicate operations in the region.

Meanwhile, in Bacolod City, a junior high school student was caught allegedly in possession of suspected marijuana during a random school inspection last week.

Police Lt. Meller Dionio, spokesperson for the Bacolod City Police Office, said the school security guard acted on a tip regarding two students allegedly selling illegal substances.

Dionio said the students were not taken into police custody but were placed under school intervention, with their parents called in for guidance.

Police reminded students and minors to avoid involvement in illegal activities, especially drug-related offenses.