Police in Negros Oriental seized over P143 million worth of suspected shabu in 516 operations last year, a provincial officer said.

Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office spokesperson Captain Stephen Polinar said 541 individuals were arrested, including 66 high-value targets.

“This year, we have observed that shabu is being distributed in larger quantities, compared to previous times when it was sold in smaller amounts. In some instances, police seized about a kilogram or more from just one buy-bust operation,” Polinar told the Philippine News Agency.

He attributed the trend to increased demand, with the drugs commonly sourced from Cebu and Manila.

Dumaguete City recorded the highest number of arrests and volume seized, with police confiscating approximately 21,040 grams of shabu and 208 grams of marijuana.

Polinar also warned police personnel against indiscriminate firing during New Year’s Eve, saying violators face dismissal and criminal charges. (PNA)