• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Two separate police operations resulted in the arrest of eight individuals and the seizure of approximately P408,000 worth of illegal drugs, along with unlicensed firearms in Cauayan and Bacolod City on Saturday, March 21.
The first operation occurred at Purok 14, Barangay Talacdan, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, where personnel from the Cauayan Municipal Police Station and Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOCPPO) implemented a search warrant for violations of Republic Act 10591.
The Cauayan operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, identified by their aliases ‘Jim,’ 56; ‘John,’ 53; ‘Jay,’ 19; ‘Volt,’ 36; ‘Mar,’ 31; ‘Sun,’ 39; and ‘Ker,’ 34.
Authorities recovered two .38 caliber revolvers without serial numbers, ten rounds of ammunition, one fired cartridge, and approximately 20 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P136,000.
Six improvised tooters and various non-drug items were also seized.
The operation was conducted under a search warrant for Republic Act 10591, subsequently recording additional violations of Republic Act 9165, after illegal drugs were discovered on-site.
Later that evening at 7:19 p.m., the City Drug Enforcement Unit of the Bacolod City Police Office conducted a buy-bust operation at Deca Homes Subdivision, Barangay Cabug, Bacolod City.
The operation targeted 20-year-old alias ‘Sac,’ a resident of Barangay 8 who was reportedly active in drug distribution in barangays Cabug, Handumanan, 6,8, and 10.
The sting resulted in the confiscation of 40 grams of suspected shabu valued at P272,000, one gram of suspected marijuana, and the recovery of the buy-bust money.
The suspect in the Bacolod operation is currently in the custody of Police Station 9 and faces charges for violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165.
PRO-NIR stated that these activities are part of a sustained effort to address the convergence of illegal drugs and loose firearms within the Negros Island Region.*
