By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga 

An estimated P1.3 million worth of suspected shabu was seized following a buy-bust operation along the Alijis-Taculing Road in the city’s Barangay Alijis early yesterday morning.

Police identified the arrested as 28-year-old Abby Araneta, a resident of ECC Subdivision in Barangay Alijis; and 39-year-old Freely Boy Aldas, a resident of Purok Cabugwason in neighboring Barangay Mansilingan.

Police Lt. Joven Mogato said they have been monitoring the two suspects since October and tagged them as high-value drug targets.

Police found that the drugs being sold by the suspects came from Luzon and were smuggled into the city before distributing them to other areas of Negros Occidental.

Police recovered 13 plastic sachets of suspected shabu with a combined weight of 201 grams and valued at P1,366,800 and also seized the P5,000 buy-bust money, the suspects’ car, and drug paraphernalia.

The suspects are now detained and facing charges related to Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./DGB, WDJ