BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA

Suspected shabu estimated to be worth P1.6 million was confiscated in three separate buy-bust operations conducted by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) in Barangays Singcang-Airport, Tangub, and Alijis between Wednesday and early Friday morning.

Police identified the arrested as 34-year-old Glaiza “Masang” Alvaran; Leobert “Amay” Polvora; Jonave “Didi” Umadhay; Gino Inventor; and Eugene Pillada, 39.

Police Lieutenant Maria Liberty Indiape, spokesperson for the BCPO, said the first operation was conducted on Wednesday night in Barangay Singcang-Airport wherein anti-drug operatives of Police Station 8 (PS8) arrested Pillada.

PS8 personnel recovered a total of 30.5 grams of suspected shabu with a market value of P207,000.

The following day on Thursday, the BCPO’s City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) arrested Inventor after he allegedly sold 100 grams of suspected shabu valued at P680,000 to a police poseur buyer.

Indiape noted that prior to the arrest Inventor also attempted to escape in his motorcycle after discovering that he was dealing with a police officer.

Inventor was later arrested near the Bacolod City College in Barangay Taculing after cops managed to shoot his foot. Police also recovered a .38 caliber revolver and P5,000 in suspected drug proceeds from Inventor.

CDEU also conducted a buy-bust operation in Barangay Tangub which yielded 105 grams of suspected shabu valued at P714,000 and resulted in the arrest of Alvaran, Polvora and Umadhay.

Indiape added Alvaran was the primary target of the operation as she was identified as a high-value drug target.
All of the suspects are facing charges for violating RA 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, while Inventor is facing an additional charge of illegal possession of firearms./DGB, WDJ