Trike Driver, Woman Nabbed in PHP442K Drug Bust

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – A tricycle driver and a young woman were arrested at their rented house in Sitio Taytay Tanulo, Barangay Pilar, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, last Sunday after police seized 65 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP442,000.

The suspects were identified as alias “Teray,” 26, from Binalbagan town, and her companion, alias “Tonit,” 41, a tricycle driver from Barangay Pilar.

Police Lt. Voltaire Sy, deputy chief of Hinigaran Municipal Police Station, said the suspects, along with another individual known as alias “Turag,” allegedly conspired in the illegal drug trade.

However, Turag escaped by jumping into a river near the rented house when he saw police operatives approaching.

Sy noted that Turag and Teray are considered high-value individuals (HVIs) due to their previous drug offenses and the volume of the recent drug recovery, while Tonit is classified as a street-level individual.

Sy added that Turag and Teray had previously been arrested for similar offenses but were released through a plea bargaining agreement.

Turag is reportedly a known drug supplier in the town, with customers from surrounding areas traveling to Hinigaran to purchase from him.

Drug charges have been filed against the two arrested suspects, Sy said yesterday.