SK official nabbed in Silay drug bust

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 24-year-old incumbent Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) councilor was arrested with seven grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 47,600 in Barangay 2, Silay City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday.

The suspect, identified only as “Matthew,” a resident of the same village, allegedly sold shabu to a police poseur-buyer for PHP 2,800 during a buy-bust operation.

Recovered from the barangay official were four sachets of suspected shabu and other non-drug-related evidence.

Police Lt. Col. Mark Anthony Darroca, chief of the Silay City Police Station, said the suspect was identified as an alleged source of another drug suspect arrested in Barangay E. Lopez on Oct. 17.

Following a follow-up investigation, police launched a buy-bust operation after confirming his suspected involvement in the illegal drug trade.

In E.B. Magalona town, a 39-year-old man was also arrested with 55 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 374,000 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Nanca on Saturday.

On Oct. 17, authorities also arrested a 29-year-old construction worker with 54 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 367,200 in Barangay 9, Victorias City.

Police tagged the suspect as a high-value individual (HVI) and recovered 17 sachets of suspected shabu, PHP 500 in marked money, and other non-drug-related items.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) seized PHP 952,000 worth of suspected shabu in two separate operations on Friday and Saturday.

The first operation was carried out by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) in Barangay Singcang-Airport, leading to the arrest of a 36-year-old HVI, identified only as “Jo,” who allegedly yielded 70 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 476,000.

He is currently detained at Police Station 8.

The following day, CDEU operatives launched another operation in Barangay 10, resulting in the arrest of “Inggo,” a 33-year-old HVI, and “Nick,” a 20-year-old street-level individual (SLI).

Police said the operation led to the seizure of another 70 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 476,000.

According to the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), the buy-bust was based on intelligence reports that Inggo was allegedly storing and distributing drugs from his residence in Barangay 19.

Police said he reportedly sends payments through a digital platform and distributes the contraband to trusted contacts.

Both suspects are now detained at Police Station 2.