Three Brothers, Two Others Nabbed With PHP1.3-M Shabu

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Five individuals, including three brothers, were arrested with PHP1.3 million worth of suspected shabu in Purok Lubi, Barangay 3, early Wednesday.

Operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) conducted the buy-bust operation targeting alias “Toto,” 21, who had been previously apprehended by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Iloilo in 2023 for a drug offense.

His older brothers, alias “Negro,” 37, and “Justine,” 28, were also arrested, along with their companions alias “Jonathan,” 22, a resident of the same barangay, and alias “Teyob,” 32, of Barangay Pahanocoy.

Police recovered approximately 200 grams of suspected shabu and PHP1,000 in marked money.

Police Lt. Richard Legada, assistant CDEU chief, said Toto’s earlier drug case was dismissed.

Negro and Justine had also been previously arrested for illegal gambling and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, respectively.

According to Legada, only Toto, Justine and Teyob are listed on the barangay drug watchlist.

He added that Teyob had been arrested in 2019 for illegal gambling.

Negro allegedly conspired with Toto in selling the illegal drugs, while the three other suspects reportedly possessed shabu during the operation.

Toto was classified as a high-value individual, while the four others were tagged as street-level individuals, according to police.