The police seized more than P700,000 worth of suspected shabu and arrested three individuals, including two cousins, in buy-bust operations in Pontevedra and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday, July 9.
In Pontevedra, John Cirilo Vasquez, alias “Turagsoy,” 48, a high-value individual (HVI), was arrested in Purok 1, Brgy. M.H. Del Pilar at around 7:58 a.m. by Pontevedra Municipal Police Station and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit operatives.
Authorities recovered a total of nine sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 85 grams, with a street value of P578,000.
Police also recovered buy-bust money, a black coin purse, a wallet with IDs, cash worth P1,500, and a black Kawasaki Barako motorcycle with red sidecar, which was used by the suspect.
At 5:52 p.m. Wednesday the police in Kabankalan City also arrested two suspects in another drug bust in Purok Sta. Cruz, Brgy. Tagukon.
The suspects were identified as Michael Dandan, 37, and his cousin Hanny Gomez, 38, both residents of the said barangay.
Dandan was caught selling a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover police officer.
Thirteen sachets were recovered from both suspects, with an estimated weight of 18 grams and a street value of P122,400.
The police also recovered drug paraphernalia, including improvised glass tooters and plastic scoops, along with marked money.
All suspects are facing charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the police said.*