By CESAR JOLITO III

A high-value drug suspect managed to escape during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Bacolod City Drug Enforcement Unit in Barangay 10’s Purok Magtiayon early yesterday morning, October 16.

Police identified the suspect only by his alias “Mekik,” 32 years old, a resident of the said barangay.

According to Police Lt. Meller Dionio, spokesperson of the Bacolod City Police Office, the suspect fled after realizing that the person he was transacting with was an undercover police officer.

“After the transaction, the suspect suddenly pushed the poseur-buyer and ran away upon sensing it was a police operation,” Dionio said.

Initial investigation showed that the suspect escaped through an air conditioning hole in a nearby structure.

Despite his escape, operatives recovered approximately 60 grams of suspected shabu valued at P408,000 from the scene.

Police said “Mekik” is considered a high-value individual in the illegal drug trade in the area and had been under surveillance prior to the operation.

Authorities are now conducting a follow-up operation for his possible arrest./CJ, WDJ