• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Three individuals were arrested and approximately P952,000 worth of suspected shabu confiscated in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Bacolod City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) early Sunday morning.
The operation took place at around 12:55 a.m., in Purok Bolinao, Barangay 1, Bacolod City, where the CDEU operatives apprehended 3 suspects.
Police identified those arrested as Judy Hardin, also known as “Koykoy/Ebol,” a 28-year-old married, jobless male, listed as a High-Value Individual; James Cordova, also known as “Wab,” an 18-year-old single, jobless male, classified as a street-level individual.
Also arrested was Mark Aguirre, also known as alias ‘Mark,” a 22-year-old single, jobless male and a resident of Purok Tangigue, classified as a street-level individual.
All three drug suspects were residents of the same barangay.
A total of 140 grams of suspected shabu were seized, valued at around P7,000 per gram.
The recovered items included one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu, which was the buy-bust item.
Another 31 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu were recovered from the suspects’ possession.
A P1,000 bill used as the buy-bust money and other non-drug items were also confiscated.
“This is a clear message to all those involved in the illegal drug trade, your days are numbered. PRO NIR will remain relentless in its pursuit of a drug-free Negros Island Region,” PRO-NIR Director PBrig. Gen. Arnold Ibay said.
Hardin is facing charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 or the Republic Act 9165.
Cordova will be charged for violating Sections 11 and 26, while Aguirre is facing a charge for violating Section 11 of the same act.
The three are currently in the custody of Police Station 2, pending legal proceedings.*
