Police in Negros Oriental seized nearly P1.5 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested 24 suspects during weeklong anti-criminality operations, an official said yesterday.

Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), said the regionwide Simultaneous Anti-criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) were held from August 4 to 10 across the province.

“We at the provincial level usually conduct three-day enhanced police operations, but the regional police official extends this to an entire week,” Polinar said in an interview.

During the extended SACLEO, the police seized over 216.6 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street drug price of P1.469 million.

Polinar said 24 operations on illegal gambling were conducted, with 52 persons arrested and some P7,000 bet money confiscated.

Also, 70 operations were conducted with 21 most wanted persons arrested, and 49 other wanted persons were arrested; 34 operations on loose firearms with one person arrested; a total of 37 confiscated/surrendered loose firearms; and five Oplan Katok operations with a total of five deposited firearms for safekeeping pending license renewals.

Additionally, 1,682 persons were apprehended for violations of various ordinances, Polinar said. (PNA)