By CESAR JOLITO III

Two high-value drug personalities were arrested following the confiscation of more than P8.84 million worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mandalagan on Monday, January 12.

Arrested were 53-year-old alias “Tata,” a resident of Camella Subdivision in the village, who is listed as the No. 1 target drug personality in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City and an alleged member of the Bugalon Drug Group, and 45-year-old alias “Anthon,” a resident of Kabankalan’s Barangay Hilamonan.

The operation was carried out at 6:16 p.m. at Block 6, Lot 27 in the subdivision.

Police recovered from the suspects approximately 1,300 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P8,840,000.

Confiscated items included one sachet of suspected shabu used as the buy-bust item, six additional sachets, five knot-tied transparent plastic bags containing suspected shabu, P6,000 buy-bust money, and other non-drug items.

According to PRO-NIR, the operation stemmed from intelligence information provided by a confidential informant regarding the suspects’ alleged drug activities in Kabankalan, Himamaylan City, La Carlota City, Cauayan, and Binalbagan, as well as Barangays Bata and Mandalagan in Bacolod City.

Authorities further revealed that the seized shabu allegedly originated from Mindanao and was being prepared for distribution during the festival.

Subsequent casing and surveillance operations confirmed the suspects’ involvement, as well as their previous arrests for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The suspects are currently detained at Police Station 3 of the Bacolod City Police Office.

Charges for violations of Sections 5 (sale of dangerous drugs), 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), and 26 (attempt or conspiracy) of Republic Act 9165 are being prepared for filing against the suspects./CJ, WDJ