• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A hand grenade, 290 grams of suspected shabu valued at P1.97 million, and two high-value individuals (HVI) were seized by the authorities during separate operations on the first night of the 46th MassKara Festival.
The first operation occurred at a checkpoint around 9:30 p.m. at San Juan St., Barangay 6, Bacolod City, where operatives intercepted Anthony Cuadra, a 35-year-old male, who was attempting to evade the Bacolod City Police Mobile Force Company while driving a black Mio motorcycle.
When the suspect was flagged down, a bundle of cash and a sachet of suspected shabu fell from his pocket.
Authorities recovered P35,370 cash, one hand grenade, 5 sachets of around 220 grams of suspected shabu valued at P1,496,000, and other non-drug items.
The second seizure, a buy-bust conducted around 5:30 p.m. by the Bacolod City Drug Enforcement Unit at St. Therese Street, Gonzaga Ext., Barangay Taculing resulted in the arrest of alias ‘Bebe,’ a 44-year-old tricycle driver who allegedly serves as a “runner” or drug courier in Bacolod.
Confiscated from him were more or less 70 grams of suspected shabu valued at P476,000, along with the marked buy-bust money.
The sting operation was initiated following information from a confidential informant regarding the suspect’s drug distribution activities.
The suspect alleged that his supplier is currently in prison and a middle man is used to deliver the drugs to him for distribution, and he is paid P1000 for every three deliveries of shabu.
“These back-to-back operations during the festival underscore our unwavering commitment to safeguard the public, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that the MassKara celebration remains safe, and drug-free,” Police Regional Director-Negros Island Region Director PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said.
The confiscated drug evidence has been submitted for laboratory examination, and charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act are being prepared against both individuals.*
