Welder, painter arrested in PHP1.5 million drug bust

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) seized PHP 1.564 million worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation in Purok Magtiayon, Barangay 10, on Friday night.

Arrested were “Toto,” 44, a welder from Barangay 10, and “Bonie,” 43, a painter from Bago City, Negros Occidental.

Police recovered 230 grams of suspected shabu from the two suspects.

Police Lt. Richard Legada, assistant chief of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), said Toto was previously arrested in 2015 for illegal gambling.

Legada added that Toto allegedly turned to selling illegal drugs to earn money to return to his hometown in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

He also said Bonie was arrested in Bago City in 2022 for a drug-related offense.

Both suspects are currently detained at Police Station 2.

This operation adds to the PHP 9.1 million worth of suspected shabu seized by the BCPO from Oct. 1 to 14 during the MassKara Festival.

During that period, 31 suspects were arrested in 20 anti-drug operations, with a total of 1,340.334 grams of suspected shabu confiscated.

The 19-day festival, now in its 46th year, concluded on Sunday, Oct. 19.