• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Police units in Dumaguete and Bacolod City intensified their crackdown on illegal drugs, arresting three high-value targets which resulted in the confiscation of approximately P1.4 million worth of shabu.
In Dumaguete City, the Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations led to the seizure of P790,840 worth of suspected shabu in the early hours of Saturday, March 7.
The first strike occurred at approximately 3:51 a.m. in Barangay Looc, where a buy-bust operation led to the arrest of a 25-year-old High-Value Individual (HVI) known as ‘Epax,’ resident of Zone 2, Barangay Looc, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
Operatives recovered 50 grams of suspected shabu valued at P340,000.00, along with a black belt bag and buy-bust money.
Minutes later, at 3:59 a.m., a separate team executed a court-issued search warrant in the same barangay that resulted in the arrest of ‘Tony,’ a 45-year-old HVI, and the recovery of 66.3 grams of suspected shabu worth P450,840.00.
Police also seized drug paraphernalia, including an aluminum foil roll and a small backpack.
The weekend wave of arrests began on the evening of Friday, March 6, when the Bacolod City Police Office conducted a successful sting at a subdivision in Barangay Estefania.
The City Drug Enforcement Unit apprehended a 35-year-old suspect identified as ‘JR,’ in possession of approximately 90 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P612,000.
Although not listed on local watchlists, the suspect was categorized as an HVI.
All suspects are currently in police custody and face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.*
