Two Ex-Drug Offenders Arrested in Negros

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY— Police arrested two alleged former drug offenders and seized PHP 986,000 worth of illegal drugs in separate operations in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental this week.

In a recent buy-bust operation on Thursday, a 59-year-old man, identified only as “Jigger,” was arrested in Purok Kawayan, Barangay Banago, Bacolod City.

The City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) operatives confiscated 72 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 612,000 from the suspect.

“Jigger,” tagged as a high-value individual, was currently under probation for a drug offense.

He was previously arrested for selling and possessing dangerous drugs in June 2023 and released in October 2023.

Police Lt. Richard Legada, assistant CDEU chief, said the suspect also had a prior complaint for frustrated murder, but authorities are still verifying the status of the case.

The suspect is detained at Police Station 3.

In a separate operation on Tuesday, Feb. 4, in Kabankalan City, a 48-year-old man, identified only as “Timber,” was arrested during a drug bust in Barangay Binicuil.

Police seized 55 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 374,000 from the suspect.

Authorities also recovered PHP 500 in marked money, a digital weighing scale, two pairs of scissors, and other non-drug items.

Police Capt. Sammy Gasataya, deputy chief of the Kabankalan City Police Station, said the suspect was previously arrested for a drug offense in March 2023 and had recently been released from jail.

He was again caught allegedly engaging in the illegal drug trade and is classified as a high-value individual.