By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A 17-year-old teenager was arrested for allegedly selling illegal drugs in Barangay Su-ay, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday night, September 26.

Police have requested not to identify the suspect but confirmed he is a resident of Purok Paraiso, Barangay Hilamonan in neighboring Kabankalan City.

Police Lt. Arturo Margallo, Himamaylan City deputy police chief, said they have been monitoring the teen’s activities for a long time.

The teen works as a seller of balut and peanuts according to police, and they noticed two people regularly going back and forth, allegedly buying shabu.

The drugs are allegedly being hidden in a plastic containing either a balut or peanuts.

Himamaylan police with coordination from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) ultimately decided to conduct a buy-bust operation leading to the teen’s apprehension.

Authorities recovered from the teen two plastic sachets of suspected shabu valued at around P1,000; P100 buy-bust money; and suspected drug proceeds amounting to P358.

The teen is currently under the custody of the Himamaylan City Police Station and they are trying to get his birth certificate to determine his real age.

If found to be 18 years old, police may file drug-related charges against the suspect./DGB, WDJ