A HIGH-VALUE target and three other drug suspects were arrested, while a minor was rescued during separate buy-busts conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Bohol and Negros Oriental.
The first arrest involved a high-value target apprehended by the PDEA Bohol Provincial Office, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bohol Maritime Police and Tagbilaran City Police Station, in Barangay Taloto, Tagbilaran City, at 1:51 p.m. Monday, January 27, 2025.
The suspect, identified as alias Justine, 26, a resident of Barangay Booy, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, was caught in possession of 11 packets of shabu weighing 55 grams, with an estimated market value of P374,000, along with buy-bust money and a cellphone.
At 12:10 p.m. Monday, the PDEA Negros Oriental Provincial Office, in coordination with the PNP Regional Intelligence Unit 7 and the Negros Oriental Provincial Intelligence Team, conducted a buy-bust in Barangay Tubtubon, Sibulan town.
The operation led to the dismantling of a drug den, the arrest of three individuals, and the rescue of a minor.
The suspects included the operation’s main target, alias Angelo, 30, who ran the drug den, along with his accomplice alias Salvino, 64, and another individual, alias Robert, 58, who was caught in the act of using illegal drugs inside the den. All suspects are residents of the area.
The rescued individual was a 16-year-old male, a Grade 10 student from a local school.
Authorities seized eight packets of shabu weighing seven grams, with an estimated market value of P47,600, as well as various drug paraphernalia.
All confiscated evidence has been turned over to the PNP Forensic Laboratory for chemical analysis.
According to Leia Alcantara, information officer of PDEA 7, the suspects had been under a week-long case buildup after a tip-off from a concerned citizen.
It was reported that the drug den operator could distribute up to 500 grams of shabu weekly.
Charges for violations of Article II of Republic Act 9165 are being prepared by PDEA against the suspects. (AYB)
