Two teen cousins nabbed in PHP 1 million drug sting

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Two teenage cousins were arrested in a buy-bust operation early Friday in Purok Cereza South, Barangay 3, leading to the seizure of PHP 1.02 million worth of suspected shabu.

The City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) identified the suspects as “Toto,” 19, and his cousin “EJ,” 18, both residents of the area.

Police Lt. Richard Legada, assistant head of the CDEU, said Toto was previously arrested in January for illegal possession of dangerous drugs and was released in April.

Legada said Toto is considered a high-value individual on the local drug watchlist.

He said EJ, a Grade 7 student, was allegedly recruited by Toto into the drug trade due to poverty.

He added that Toto also cited poverty as his reason for engaging in illegal drug activity.

Authorities recovered about 150 grams of suspected shabu from the suspects after two weeks of surveillance.

Both are detained at Police Station 2 pending the filing of charges.