By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

An estimated P5 million worth of suspected shabu was seized early yesterday morning following a buy-bust operation against a high-value drug target at the Regent Pearl Homes Subdivision, located at Purok DC-1 in Bacolod City’s Barangay Alijis.
Police identified the primary target of the operation as 25-year-old Ryan ‘Tibo’ Benemile, a resident of Barangay 30 in the said city.
Also arrested in the operation were 29-year-old Chris John Esmedian, 18-year-old Albero Pastera, and 19-year-old Wegene Bagcal.
Police Station 3 (PS3) commander, Police Major Ruel Culanag, said the operation began the day before, around 3:00 p.m. The suspects later agreed to proceed with the transaction in Barangay Alijis, which ultimately resulted in the arrests.
Cops recovered a total 405 grams worth of suspected shabu, the P1,000 in marked money, and suspected drug proceeds amounting to P1,500.
When authorities interrogated Benemile, they learned the suspect was using his Barangay Alijis home as a drop-off point for illegal drugs.
Culanag also said they are presently verifying information claiming the drugs they seized originated from Metro Manila.
The four face illegal drugs charges and are currently under PS3 custody./DGB, WDJ