By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Silay City Police Station is now tracing the origin of the P21.2 million worth of suspected shabu seized in two separate operations over the weekend.

In a radio interview, police station Commander Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca said the suspected shabu seized in both operations have originated from Luzon, however, they are still determining the exact place of origin.

It has also been revealed that the suspect, 36-year-old Mark Villaran, they arrested on Sunday night, August 28, was working with the Dumdumaya sisters Angie and Angielyn, who were arrested with P13.6 million worth of suspected shabu on the same day.

Darroca said Villaran and the Dumdumaya sisters have no relations, except with their illegal drug transactions.

The sisters were the ones responsible for warehousing the illicit substance while Villaran served as the courier.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) spokesperson Lt. Judesses Catalogo said, with the large hauls they are getting in Silay City, they believe that the suspects have yet to establish buyers or distributors for their illegal drugs.

Catalogo said the reason why drug peddlers are unable to find buyers or distributors is due to the increased police presence and surveillance operations.

A second angle they are also looking into is the illegal drug peddlers in Negros Occidental are looking into cashing in on the festivals that are now being held again following a two-year hiatus brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Illegal drug peddlers are particularly looking at the upcoming Bacolod City’s MassKara Festival in October./DGB, WDJ