Drug enforcement teams of the Bacolod City Police Office seized P9.11 million worth of shabu in two weeks of operations since the start of the 46th MassKara Festival on Oct. 1.
Data on Wednesday showed that from Oct. 1 to 14, a total of 1,340 grams of shabu were recovered in 20 operations, resulting in the arrest of 31 individuals.
Each gram of shabu is pegged at P6,800.
The latest operation of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) was Tuesday night when they arrested a high-value target and seized an estimated P408,000 worth of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation in Purok San Roque 1, Brgy. Handumanan.
The operation was conducted by the CDEU as part of the intensified anti-drug campaign of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) to ensure public safety amid the height of the MassKara Festival.
The suspect identified only as alias “Pel,” 33, single, a tricycle driver, and a resident of Brgy. Handumanan, was caught in a buy-bust operation around 10 p.m. after he sold suspected shabu to a police poseur-buyer, a police report said.
Authorities said the operation stemmed from intelligence information that the suspect was actively engaged in the sale and delivery of illegal drugs in various barangays across Bacolod City.
The seized shabu weighed around 60 grams with a standard drug price of P408,000.
The suspect is now detained at Bacolod Police Station 10, and faces charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
In a statement, Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, said these operations are part of the strengthened security measures ahead of the highlights of the MassKara Festival set on Oct. 17 to 19.
“PRO-NIR will continue to uphold its mandate to protect the people of the region and preserve the spirit of celebration through peace, order, and public safety,” he added.
On Oct. 8, the CDEU arrested eight persons and recovered PHP1.36 million in shabu during a buy-bust at a residence in Purok Tahong, Barangay 2.
Three buy-busts on Oct. 2 led to the apprehension of five individuals and the recovery of PHP3.536 million in shabu while on Oct. 1, a lone suspect was intercepted at a checkpoint and was found possessing 220 grams of shabu valued at PHP1.5 million.*