DUMAGUETE CITY: Anti-illegal drug operatives in Negros Oriental have seized some PHP4 million worth of suspected shabu in separate buy-bust operations in this capital city and nearby Sibulan town, an official said Wednesday. Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), reported the successful operations that also led to the arrest of ‘high-value individuals’ who have been under surveillance in recent weeks.

According to Philippines News Agency, the NOPPO’s report detailed that a 54-year-old resident of Batinguel in this capital city was apprehended Tuesday in Purok Mabugnawon 1 in Barangay Junob. Confiscated from him were about 500 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated worth of PHP3.4 million. Hours later, at around 1:47 a.m. Wednesday, an individual known as ‘Toto’, 38, and a resident of San Miguel in Bacong town, was arrested at Purok 3 in Barangay Agan-an, Sibulan after allegedly selling suspected shabu to an undercover operative. Seized from him were so
me 100 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP680,000.

Lt. Polinar stated that the NOPPO, in coordination with other law enforcement units, has intensified their anti-illegal drugs operations since the Buglasan Festival in October. This move anticipates a rise in the volume of shabu being sold in local markets during the holiday season and other local activities such as the city fiesta and charter day on November 24 and 25, where an influx of visitors is expected.