Weekend drug busts yield P3.7-M in shabu

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Five people, including two couples, were arrested in separate buy-bust operations here over the weekend, leading to the seizure of P3,774,000 worth of suspected shabu.

The largest haul came from a drug bust conducted by Police Station 8 on Saturday night in Barangay Tangub, where authorities confiscated suspected shabu valued at P2,040,000.

Police arrested a 37-year-old man from Isabela, Negros Occidental; his 32-year-old live-in partner from Hinigaran town; and their 29-year-old companion, a construction worker from Valladolid town.

According to the police, the older suspect was allegedly a member of a drug group, while his live-in partner was listed on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) watchlist. All three are considered high-value individuals.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez, head of the City Intelligence Unit (CIU), stated that it took police operatives two weeks to monitor the suspects.

Benitez noted that the older suspect had been watchlisted for illegal drug activities in Binalbagan town and had a previous record for illegal possession of a firearm.

The suspects were reportedly distributing illegal drugs in various areas in the southern part of the province, according to Benitez.

Police recovered 300 grams of suspected shabu, a weighing scale, P1,000 in marked money, and a vehicle. Benitez added that the couple allegedly used a pickup truck to distribute or transport the illegal drugs.

Early the following day, another couple was arrested in Barangay Singcang-Airport with 255 grams of suspected shabu worth P1,734,000.

The suspects, two food vendors, were identified as alias “Madam,” 54, and her 39-year-old live-in partner, both residents of the village.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) Special Operations Unit (SOU)-6 reported that the woman was also tagged as a high-value individual.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man from Barangay 6 was apprehended in a drug bust on Friday in Purok Lampirong, Barangay 2.

Police seized 41 grams of suspected shabu worth P278,800 and a .38 caliber revolver with four live rounds. The suspect is currently detained at Police Station 2.