• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
A buy-bust operation conducted by the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) at Purok 5, Barangay Sulodpan, Bacong, Negros Oriental on Wednesday led to the recovery of more than P6 million worth of suspected shabu.
Around 1,000 grams of alleged shabu with an estimated standard drug price of P6,800,000 was seized from the possession of the suspect identified as Anthony Torres, 42-years-old, and a resident of Brgy. Tabuc-Tubig, Dumaguete City.
Torres was recognized by the police as a high-value individual who was involved in various illegal drug trades across the region and was twice arrested previously by the Dumaguete City Police Station.
The successful operation was initiated following a tip-off from a confidential informant regarding the suspect.
The police recovered from Torres 18 heat-sealed transparent sachets containing shabu, a mobile phone allegedly used for illegal transactions, a motorcycle unit, and a one thousand peso bill. Upon apprehension, the suspect was informed of his constitutional rights and the anti-torture law in a language he fully understood.
PRO-NIR director PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay commended the operating units for their vigilance, swift response, and high level of professionalism during the recent anti-drug operation, as their concerted efforts led to the successful arrest of a high-value suspect and the seizure of illegal drugs, significantly hampering the operations of drug syndicates in the region.
“This arrest forms part of the PNP’s ongoing and strengthened anti-illegal drugs campaign, which aims to dismantle criminal organizations engaged in drug trafficking and distribution,” Ibay said.
The apprehension comes after the PRO-NIR announced that they were aiming to dismantle the downlines, or the networks, of an illegal drug syndicate which they claimed was not based in the region.
“PRO-NIR remains steadfast in its mission to ensure peace, order, and public safety through sustained and strategic anti-illegal drug operations across the region,” he added.*
