Police authorities in Negros Oriental have seized close to P5 million worth of suspected shabu in various anti-illegal drug operations since January 1 this year.

Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) records showed that as of February 20, a total of 721.1 grams of suspected shabu across the province have been confiscated, totaling P4.9 million, NOPPO spokesperson Lt. Stephen Polinar said.

Police operatives seized during the same period a total of 105 grams of marijuana valued at P12,600, he said.

Police also arrested 87 persons for alleged illegal drug possession or sale, he added.

The latest to be arrested is a certain “Rey-Rey,” 34 years old, of Barangay Piapi in Dumaguete City, who was collared in a buy-bust operation on Tuesday morning, February 20, in nearby Valencia town.

Listed as a “high-value individual,” police said the suspect yielded some 38 grams of suspected shabu worth over P258,000.

Meanwhile, Polinar said 37 barangays in Negros Oriental are set to be declared as “drug-cleared” by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing.

The declaration is expected during the first quarter of this year, he said, adding that eight other barangays have been recommended to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for verification.

Over 200 of the 557 barangays in Negros Oriental have been declared as cleared of illegal drugs as of 2023, Polinar said. (PNA)