BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – An estimated P1.4 million worth of suspected shabu was confiscated in a buy-bust operation on Luzuriaga Street, Barangay 6, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The 23-year-old Mark John Quijano, a resident of Ylagan Street, Barangay 6, was arrested at 7:04 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 20.
San Carlos City police chief Lieutenant Colonel Jesus Mesahon, Jr. said they seized four big and 12 small sachets of suspected shabu with a total weight of 216 grams and valued at P1,469,276.
The police also recovered the P2,300 buy-bust money.
Quijano was detained at the San Carlos City Police Station and is facing a charge for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) spokesperson Police Captain Judesses Catalogo said the amount of suspected shabu seized could be evidence that drug suspects have begun stocking up in preparation for upcoming festivals in the province.
Among the festivals to be held in March were the Kisi-Kisi Festival in Ilog town; the Magayon Festival in Moises Padilla town; and the Kadalag-an Festival in Victorias City.
April, meanwhile, would see the return of the Panaad sa Negros Festival, to be held in Bacolod City.
According to Catalogo, they noticed that the supply of illegal drugs increased with every major festival in the province.
Catalogo also said it is possible that the P1.4 million suspected shabu seized from Quijano was an advanced shipment.
In response, the NOCPPO spokesperson said they would strengthen their monitoring in the province./PN
