Tricycle Driver Caught with ₱1.3M ‘Shabu’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) arrested a tricycle driver with 205 grams of suspected shabu valued at ₱1,394,000 in Barangay Sum-ag early Tuesday.

The suspect, identified as alias “Lando” from the same village, was classified as a high-value individual.

Police Lt. Col. Antonio Benitez Jr., CDEU head, said they had been monitoring the suspect, who had been on the drug watchlist of Police Station 9 and the CDEU for some time.

Benitez said they received numerous complaints about the suspect’s alleged illegal activities in Barangay Sum-ag and another barangay, prompting them to conduct validation and a buy-bust operation.

The suspect was previously arrested for a drug offense, according to Benitez. However, authorities are still verifying how he was released and whether he had committed other offenses.

Benitez added that the suspect was allegedly sourcing the drugs from Manila and transporting them to Bacolod via sea travel.

The suspect rarely used his tricycle for legitimate livelihood, instead allegedly using it as transportation while distributing illegal drugs.

The suspect is now in custody at Police Station 9 and will face drug charges.