P700,400 worth of suspected shabu confiscated

A 24-year-old college student was apprehended with 50 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P340,000, in Barangay 2 Poblacion, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of La Carlota City Police Station)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A series of drug busts in Negros Occidental led to the arrest of five individuals, including a government employee and a college student, with a combined total of P700,400 worth of suspected shabu seized on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In La Carlota City, police apprehended a 24-year-old college student in Barangay 2 Poblacion during a buy-bust operation last Wednesday.

The suspect was found in possession of 50 grams of suspected shabu worth P340,000.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Lymel John Pasquin, the city’s police chief, disclosed that the student had been under surveillance for several months following reports of his alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.

According to Pasquin, the suspect had a previous arrest for a drug-related offense but was released through plea bargaining.

The police chief also noted that the suspect’s father is currently incarcerated, although he did not specify the nature of the father’s offense.

The confiscated drugs are believed to have originated from Bacolod, Pasquin added.

On the same day in Victorias City, a 43-year-old woman was detained in Barangay 5 with 25 grams of suspected shabu, estimated at P170,000.

In Silay City, two individuals, one a job order casual employee, were caught in Barangay Rizal with 13 grams of suspected shabu worth P88,400.

A further arrest occurred in the city last Tuesday when a 23-year-old man was found with 15 grams of suspected shabu valued at P102,000.