BACOLOD City – A 37-year-old resident of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, was arrested after police seized approximately P136,000 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Palaka, Valladolid, on Saturday, September 26.
Personnel of the Valladolid Municipal Police Station conducted the operation at around 5:10 a.m., resulting in the arrest of the suspect, identified only as alias “Golden,” whom police classified as a street-level drug individual.
According to police, the operation was launched following validation and surveillance activities based on information about the suspect’s alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.
The suspect was arrested after allegedly selling a heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu to an undercover police officer in exchange for marked money.
Police recovered two heat-sealed plastic sachets containing approximately 20 grams of suspected shabu, including the buy-bust item, with an estimated standard drug price of P136,000.
Authorities said the inventory of the confiscated items was conducted in accordance with Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The suspect remains in the custody of the Valladolid Municipal Police Station pending the filing of appropriate charges under RA 9165.
Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) director Brigadier General Rudecindo Reales said the operation demonstrated the police force’s continuing efforts to act on intelligence reports and disrupt illegal drug activities in local communities.
He emphasized the importance of community cooperation, proper evidence handling and adherence to legal procedures in the implementation of anti-illegal drug operations./PN
