BACOLOD City – Authorities confiscated approximately P524,000 worth of suspected shabu and dried marijuana during a buy-bust operation on Monday night, May 26, in Manville Royale Subdivision, Barangay Tangub here.
The City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) launched the operation at around 10:45 p.m., resulting in the arrest of three suspects identified as aliases “Rolyn,” a resident of Barangay 3, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental; “French,” therapist, a resident of Barangay Banago, Bacolod City; and “Ryan,” a student from Barangay Sum-ag, Bacolod City.
Police recovered around 10 grams of suspected shabu valued at P68,000 and approximately 3,800 grams of dried marijuana leaves worth around P456,000.
Colonel Joeresty Coronica, BCPO director, lauded the success of the operation, calling it a major accomplishment in the city’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
“What made this operation particularly notable was the recovery of 17 cartridges of liquid marijuana — a first in Bacolod City,” Coronica said.
He explained that the cartridges were allegedly intended to be consumed by mixing them with flavored vape liquids. This emerging trend, he warned, could pose new challenges for enforcement.
“This should serve as a warning to vape sellers to be cautious of the products they are selling. Whether in seed, leaf, or liquid form — marijuana remains an illegal drug under the law,” he stressed.
Coronica added that the BCPO is now enhancing its intelligence monitoring, particularly focusing on vape shops, which could be exploited as distribution points for liquid marijuana.
However, he admitted that current laws do not give the police authority to inspect vaping establishments specifically for this type of product, as there is no regulation governing liquid marijuana in vape form.
Despite this gap in regulation, he emphasized the BCPO’s unwavering commitment to fighting the drug menace and commended the operatives involved in the successful operation.
The three suspects are currently under police custody and will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002./PN
