By CESAR JOLITO III

Police in the Negros Island Region (NIR) intensified their anti-illegal drugs campaign after seizing an estimated P748,000 worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation that led to the arrest of two alleged drug personalities in Bacolod City’s Barangay 10 on Tuesday, November 18.

Operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit of the Bacolod City Police Office launched the operation at Purok Kabuhi following surveillance and validation of reports that one of the targets was actively distributing illegal drugs across several barangays.

Arrested were a 56-year-old high-value individual, a resident of the village; and a 37-year-old street-level individual from Purok Fire, Barangay 8.

Operatives said a police poseur buyer led to the arranged transaction with the suspects.

Recovered from the suspects were one sachet of suspected shabu used as the buy-bust item, six additional sachets, two knot-tied plastic bags containing suspected shabu, a marked P1,000 bill, and several non-drug items.

The seized illegal drugs weighed around 110 grams.

The evidence has been submitted to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory examination.

Both suspects are detained at Police Station 2 pending the filing of appropriate charges.

Police Regional Director Brigadier General Thomas Ibay lauded the operating team and emphasized that the successful operation reflects the determination of PRO-NIR to disrupt drug networks and prevent the continued spread of illegal drugs in communities.

“The fight against illegal drugs is a continuing priority of PRO-NIR. We will not slow down — we will continue to strengthen our operations to ensure a safer and drug-free Negros Island Region,” Ibay said./CJ, WDJ