By CESAR JOLITO III

Authorities in Negros Island scored major breakthroughs in their campaign against illegal drugs after arresting two high-value individuals in separate buy-bust operations that yielded a combined P3.7 million worth of suspected shabu.

In Negros Occidental’s Sagay City, operatives of the Sagay City Police Station arrested a dismissed policewoman identified only as “Tata,” 30 years old, during a buy-bust operation at Purok Dol-dol, Barangay Poblacion 2 on Wednesday, September 10.

Operatives seized about 45 grams of suspected shabu valued at P306,000, along with a .45 caliber pistol, ammunition and marked money.

The suspect, a former member of the Philippine National Police dismissed in October 2023, sold a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover agent before being collared.

She is currently under police custody while facing drug and firearms charges.

Meanwhile, a separate anti-drug operation in Negros Oriental’s Bacong town yesterday led to the arrest of another high-value target, alias “Cyrel,” 56 years old, a resident of Sta. Catalina town.

Police seized about 500 grams of suspected shabu worth P3.4 million during the sting at Purok 4, Barangay San Miguel.

Recovered from him were several sachets of suspected shabu, a mobile phone, a sling bag, and buy-bust money composed of marked and bogus bills.

He is now detained at the Bacong Municipal Police Station.

Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) director, Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, said the twin operations underscore their intensified drive against the drug trade.

“This is a clear message to all those involved in the illegal drug trade: Your days are numbered. PRO-NIR will remain relentless in its pursuit of a drug-free Negros Island Region,” Ibay stressed.

Both suspects were apprised of their rights, while the confiscated evidence has been submitted for forensic examination./CJ, WDJ