BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An alleged member of a local drug group and 10 other drug suspects were arrested by the police in separate anti-drug operations on August 5 and 6 in Negros Island, yielding P1.5 million worth of suspected shabu.
The arrest of Don Emilio Cariño during a buy-bust operation on Aug. 5 in Sitio Ogahong, Brgy. Palinpinon, Valencia, Negros Oriental, yielded about 180 grams of suspected shabu with a market value of P1.2 million.
Cariño, a High Value Individual (HVI) for illegal drugs, was the subject of intensive monitoring due to his widespread illegal drug operations in Negros Oriental, a statement from the PNP Public Information Office, said.
Meanwhile, alleged members of the Bugalon Drug Group identified by the police as Razel Laruza, 45, and JR Estrecho, are now locked up in jail following their arrest on Aug. 5, during a buy bust operation in Brgy. Aguisan, Himamaylan City.
The apprehension of Laruza, who is categorized by the police as a High Value Individual drug personality, and Estrecho, yielded about three grams of suspected shabu with a market value of P20,400 and its paraphernalia, as well as P500 in marked money.
The Police Station 7 Drug Enforcement Team also arrested Aldrin Jarabelo on Aug. 6 in another buy bust operation at Purok. Kabugwason in, Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
The police recovered an estimated 11 grams of suspected shabu with a market value of P74,800, marked money of P500 and P710 in cash, from the arrested suspect who is now detained at the Police Station 7 custodial facility.
The apprehension of two other drug suspects identified as George Trecho and Michael Sombero also on Saturday in Brgy. 5, Victorias City, also resulted in the confiscation of about 20 grams of suspected shabu with a market value of 136,000, its assorted paraphernalia, marked money of P1,000, two cellular phones, P141 in cash and a Rusi motorcycle, police said.
Policemen on visibility operations also intercepted and arrested Jerry Magallanes on Aug. 6 at Osmeña Ave. in Brgy. 13 Victorias City, for having a .38 caliber revolver with three ammunition and four sachets of suspected shabu in his possession.
Magallanes was driving a motorcycle when the police noticed a gun at his waistline.
Also nabbed for violation of RA 9165 in Brgy. Zone 12-A, Talisay City, were Jonel Ablig and Jeric Pasion, yielding an estimated two grams of suspected shabu with a market value of P13,600, an improvised tooter, P635 in cash and P500 in marked money.
An alleged Street Level Individual drug personality identified by the police as Jigger Mahometano, of Brgy. Zone 3, Pulupandan, was also apprehended by the police in another buy bust operation at Purok Masinadyahon in Brgy Lag-asan, Bago City.
His arrest yielded .4 grams of suspected shabu with a market value of P2,720, marked money of P500, a cellular phone and P532 in cash.
Finally, about 10 grams of suspected shabu with a market value of P68,000 were also recovered by the police during the apprehension of Robert Fernandez in Brgy. 5, San Carlos City, on Aug. 5.
In a statement, PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. lauded the concerned police units for their anti-drug campaign accomplishments.*
