By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – Police seized approximately 125 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP850,000 from a 60-year-old man during a buy-bust operation in Purok Masinulundon, Barangay 23, on Monday night.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., head of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), said it took several weeks to validate information about the suspect’s alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.
“The complaint against the suspect’s engagement in illegal drugs had reached the regional headquarters,” Benitez said.
Classified as a high-value individual, the suspect allegedly sourced the illegal drugs from outside Bacolod City.
Benitez speculated that the drugs might have been intended for use during the upcoming MassKara Festival in October, when a large influx of visitors is expected.
Benitez urged the public to report illegal activities to help prevent the entry of contraband, particularly ahead of the festival.
In related incidents, police arrested a 53-year-old casual government employee and a 40-year-old rescue volunteer in separate buy-bust operations in Negros Occidental.
The government worker was apprehended in Barangay 5, San Carlos City, with 3.58 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP24,344.
The rescue volunteer, arrested on Sept. 12 in Barangay 5, Moises Padilla town, was found with 2.5 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP17,000.
