• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Authorities seized nearly P7 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested a suspected high-value drug personality during a buy-bust operation on May 16 in Sitio Capagongan, Barangay Poblacion, Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental.
Operatives from the Police Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, supported by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the town police, also arrested a drug suspect, alias Kitt, 38, of Purok 7, Katrina Homes in Barangay Batinguel, Dumaguete City.
Police said the operation stemmed from intelligence reports and surveillance operations indicating that the suspect, who had been previously arrested for violation of RA 9165, known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, reportedly resumed his involvement in the illegal drug trade.
With the assistance of a confidential informant, undercover operatives arranged a drug transaction that eventually led to his arrest.
Confiscated during the operation were about 1.018 kilograms of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of P6,925,120.
Recovered from the suspect were several heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, drug residue, a green sling bag, a green-blue cellular phone, a silver weighing scale, a black Honda Click motorcycle, and buy-bust money consisting of one genuine P1,000 bill and 49 boodle bills.
A day earlier, the police also seized about 200 grams of suspected shabu with a market value of P1.3 million, from an arrested drug suspect during a buy bust operation at Purok Lison in Brgy. 1, Bacolod City.*
