BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The vigilance of police against the entry of illegal drugs in Bacolod City, reportedly earmarked for MassKara Festival celebration in October, has paid off.
In two successive operations, BCPO recovered P5.7 million worth of suspected shabu from two arrested High Value Individuals in illegal drug operations in Bacolod City.
PCol. Thomas Joseph Martir, BCPO director, suspects that the confiscated shabu could be being stockpiled because of expected rising demand due to upcoming festivities in Bacolod City.
The arrest of a local drug group leader in Kabankalan City also yielded more than P800,000 worth of suspected shabu.
Martir also said that he believes that part of the P2.7 billion of shabu seized last week in Pangasinan and La Union was also bound for Bacolod City, pointing out information from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that the confiscated drugs were being earmarked also for shipment to Central Visayas.
Cebu has been identified by authorities as among the sources of illegal drugs being dispatched to Negros Occidental, through ports in northern Negros.
“From one operation to another, this is a living testament of the beefed-up approach towards curbing illegal drugs. It is with high hopes that these will serve as deterrent against illegal drug operations,” PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said, in a statement.*
