A barangay official and three others were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Pucatod, Barangay Payao, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1.
The operation led by the Special Operations Unit of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group-Negros Island Region, with support from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency- Negros Occidental, the Coast Guard Intelligence Unit-NIR, and Binalbagan police, resulted in the seizure of about 70 grams of suspected shabu valued at P476,000.
Authorities said the arrested suspects included an incumbent barangay kagawad and his three companions.
They were apprehended after a poseur-buyer was able to transact with the group.
The arrested individuals were informed of their constitutional rights and are now under police custody for documentation and filing of charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.*