The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) arrested the province’s top high-value drug target and her live-in partner during a buy-bust operation in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, on Friday, July 31.
Police identified the suspects only as “Mari,” 40, a resident of Pontevedra and listed as the Top 1 Provincial High Value Individual (HVI), and “Nonoy,” 59, of Binalbagan.
Authorities said intelligence operatives of the Hinigaran Police Station conducted surveillance after receiving reports that the suspects were allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.
Police said their investigation indicated that “Mari” had been arrested in Bacolod City in 2021 for a drug-related offense and was later released after serving her sentence.
Authorities also alleged that the suspects were distributing illegal drugs in Hinigaran, Binalbagan, Pontevedra, Murcia, and Bacolod City.
The operation was carried out after a confidential informant arranged a drug transaction with the suspects.
Recovered during the operation were eight sachets of suspected shabu, including the buy-bust item, with a total estimated weight of about 12 grams and a standard drug price of P81,600.
Police also seized buy-bust money, another P1,000 bill, a black sling bag, and a coin purse.
The seized evidence was inventoried and submitted to the Negros Occidental Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory examination.
The suspects remain under the custody of the Hinigaran Municipal Police Station pending the filing of appropriate charges.*
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