BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The P11.6 million seizure of suspected shabu by police here is the second highest for this year, a ranking police officer said.
Local PNP spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Pico said it also indicates that drug dealers have transferred operations to gated subdivisions, an indication that the government’s anti-drug campaign in impoverished areas that used to be pick up points of prohibited drugs is gaining ground.
The seizure came after a special police unit conducted a buy-bust operation yesterday, 18 June, at Green Plains Subdivision, a prime address in Singcang Airport village here.
Pico said the joint operation was conducted by the local Drug Enforcement Unit and the Regional DEU that led to the arrests of Joy Buenacosa Diamante alias Joy, 18; and Rafael Solomon Cantuar alias Boyboy, 23.
The police blotter indicated their addresses as Langis sub-village in the village of Banago.
Police said they were renting a house at 102 Street in Greenplains, about seven kilometers away from their home addresses.
Operatives seized more than a kilo of suspected shabu from the suspects placed in 211 plastic packets.
Police said the haul has an estimated street value of P11.6 million, making it the second highest single seizure.
The highest shabu seizure in a single operation so far was January this year estimated at P18 million.
