Police: Dealers are stockpiling for local festivals
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least P17.1 million worth of shabu has been seized over the past two days following separate operations across Negros.
Earlier on Monday, police in San Carlos City seized a total of P1.4 million of shabu at a pension house in the city. Meanwhile, separate operations across Bacolod City yielded at least P2.1 million of shabu; and, in Dumaguete City, police also seized around two kilograms worth of shabu valued around P13.6 million.
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) spokesperson and deputy director, Police Lt. Colonel Ariel Pico, believes the recent operations are connected to the ongoing Buglasan Festival in Dumaguete City and the upcoming MassKara Festival, which is set to begin in Bacolod City on Monday. He pointed out, with the festivals in the region, drug dealers are very likely to stockpile shabu since its a cheaper “party drug” than ecstasy.
The law enforcement official said, during a regional meeting called by Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, he ordered police in Negros Occidental to adopt “aggresive measures” against drug suspects.
Pico said the same order was also reportedly issued for Negros Oriental through PRO-7, which is headed by Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas.
The BCPO official said, due to the upcoming MassKara Festival, they have requested partner law enforcement agencies, such as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine Coast Guard, to deploy K-9 units and enforce strict inspection at ports surrounding Bacolod City./DGB, WDJ

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