By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY — Police seized PHP12.2 million worth of suspected shabu from six individuals in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental ahead of the New Year.
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) led the operations, recovering PHP11.9 million worth of drugs on December 23 and 30.
A 20-year-old man was arrested in Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City, in a buy-bust operation, yielding one kilo of suspected shabu valued at PHP6.8 million.
Police Capt. Greeky Cayao, head of Police Station 8, said the suspect, a Silay City resident, had rented a house in Barangay Tangub for two months.
Cayao suggested the suspect may have moved to avoid detection in Silay City.
The operation was launched after police learned of a newcomer allegedly engaging in illegal drug activities in the area.
Later that evening, a 19-year-old and his 24-year-old companion were arrested in Barangay Taculing with 250 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP1.7 million.
The suspects, identified only as “Sean” and “John,” are considered high-value targets and residents of Silay City.
Police Capt. Genus David, assistant chief of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), said the suspects were tagged as drug couriers.
David noted the suspects claimed they were merely delivering the contraband on behalf of others.
The arrests followed information from previously apprehended drug suspects about their alleged activities.
On December 30, two women were arrested in Barangay 17 during a buy-bust operation that resulted in the seizure of 500 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP3.4 million.
The suspects were identified as “Antonette,” 37, of Barangay 22, and “Shayne,” 35, of Manapla town.
Police Major Eugene Tolentino, head of Police Station 2, said Antonette is under probation for a prior drug offense, and both suspects had previously met while incarcerated for similar crimes.
Tolentino suggested the large volume of drugs recovered may have been intended for New Year’s celebrations.
The Bacolod police are investigating whether the five suspects are connected to a single source.
Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, a 34-year-old tricycle driver was arrested in Barangay Miranda, Pontevedra town.
The operation led to the seizure of 55 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP374,000.
