By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Two individuals were arrested after yielding more than P500,000 worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation at Estanzia Subdivision in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mandalagan on Tuesday night, February 21.

The arrested were 44-year-old Rowena Ponce, a resident of Barangay 3 in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City; and 32-year-old Alter Hernaez of Purok Kabukiran in Bacolod’s Barangay Taculing.

Police Captain Joeven Mogato, Bacolod City Police Office-Drug Enforcement Unit head, said Ponce was listed as a high-value individual and was connected to several arrested drug suspects.

Ponce has been placed under surveillance by the police since last year.

Meanwhile, Mogato said Hernaez acts as the one repacking and distributing suspected illegal drugs.

Hernaez previously served prison time for a murder charge, Mogato added.

Police seized eight sachets and one bag of suspected shabu with a combined weight of 75 grams and valued at P510,000.

The two suspects are now detained in the city’s Police Station 3 and are facing charges related to Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./DGB, WDJ