By Xander Ledesma
A buy-bust operation on Monday led to the arrest of two residents and the seizure of PHP 1.020 million worth of shabu in Villa Angela Subdivision, Barangay Villamonte. The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) identified the suspects as “Mariel,” 30, and “Naldo,” 23, both residents of Barangay 20.
The operation, carried out by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), involved a poseur-buyer purchasing a sachet of shabu worth PHP1,000 from the suspects around 4 a.m. The police subsequently recovered eight sachets and two plastic bags containing approximately 150 grams of shabu, valued at PHP6,800 per gram.
The suspects are set to face charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, covering the sale and possession of dangerous drugs.
Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, director of the Police Regional Office-Western Visayas, praised the joint efforts of the police and community members, noting that the information provided by locals was instrumental in identifying and apprehending the suspects. “We extend our deep appreciation to the community for their role in this operation,” he said.
This operation follows two major drug busts by the BCPO-CDEU in early November. On November 6, two suspects were arrested with PHP 1.7 million worth of shabu in Purok Gonzaga, Barangay Taculing, and on November 1, PHP 3.4 million worth of shabu was seized from two individuals in Purok Kabuhi, Barangay 10.