By Mary Judaline Partlow
DUMAGUETE CITY – Anti-illegal drug operatives have arrested a “high-value individual” and confiscated suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP3.4 million, during a buy-bust operation in Bacong, Negros Oriental on Thursday.
Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), told the Philippine News Agency that the 56-year-old suspect was arrested at about 1 a.m. after allegedly selling illegal drugs to undercover operatives in Purok 4, Barangay San Miguel, Bacong.
“The suspect has been under close surveillance for a while now and is a resident of Santa Catalina, a town in Negros Oriental that was already declared drug-cleared,” Polinar said.
A joint operation by the Bacong police, intelligence operatives, and the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit led to the arrest and the confiscation of about 500 grams of suspected shabu.
The suspect will face criminal complaints for alleged illegal possession and illegal sale of shabu under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
Meanwhile, Polinar said the police, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the National Bureau of Investigation are collaborating to determine if suspects in recent anti-illegal drug operations are connected. (PNA)
