Teacher falls in drug bust

Police inventory the items recovered from a teacher after a buy-bust operation Thursday in San Lorenzo, Guimaras. (GPPO-PDEU photo)

By Jennifer P. Rendon

An elementary school teacher was arrested following a police anti-narcotics operation morning of September 21 at San Lorenzo, Guimaras.

Police collared 38-year-old Al Ray Catalbas at Barangay Aguilar, San Lorenzo town.

Members of the Guimaras Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, together with San Lorenzo Municipal Police Station and GPPO- Provincial Intelligence Unit, arrested the suspect after selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P1,100.

Police operatives seized seven more sachets of suspected shabu, shabu paraphernalia, other non-drug items, and a Honda RS 125 motorcycle.

Bermejo said the seized drugs are valued at P51,000.

While considered as a newly identified drug personality, the suspect is categorized as a high-value individual since he’s a government employee.

Catalbas popped up on the police’s radar about two months ago.

He allegedly got his supply from distributors in Iloilo City and Metro Manila.

An unidentified woman allegedly supplied the shabu being distributed by Catalbas.

The suspect is now detained and would be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).