Tricycle driver yields P2-M worth of ‘shabu’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) seized about 300 grams of suspected shabu worth P2.040 million in a buy-bust at Purok Dalawidaw, Barangay 16 here last Thursday.

Police Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir, BCPO director, led the operation along with the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) and Police Station 1 that resulted in the arrest of Lester Tindoc, 35, a tricycle driver from Brgy. 16.

Police Major Ramel Sarona, head of Police Station 1, said it took them about two months to monitor Tindoc, who was on their drugs watchlist.

Sarona said Tindoc was released from jail through plea bargaining but allegedly continued in the illegal drug trade due to poverty.

Tindoc alleged that the contraband was delivered to his house but he did not divulge the source of the illegal drugs, the station commander added.

Sarona said that Tindoc was allegedly caught by police operatives repacking the illegal drugs which were supposed to be distributed to various areas here.

“May possibility na bag-o lang abot ang items,” Sarona said, adding that Tindoc may have companions who distribute the illegal drugs to clients.

Meanwhile, Tindoc told reporters that he was first arrested in a drug bust in 2019. He is currently under probation when he was released from jail in March this year.

Police also recovered from Tindoc the P3,000 marked money. Drug charges are being readied against him.