By Nanette Guadalquiver

BACOLOD CITY – Operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) seized PHP1.156 million worth of shabu from a lone suspect in a buy-bust at Barangay 2 on Thursday, according to a report of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
The suspect, with aliases Emil and Yen-Yen, 29, a resident of Barangay 6, was arrested after he transacted with an undercover policeman at
4:17 a.m. in the neighboring village of Purok Sigay.
He yielded about 170 grams of shabu with a standard drug price of PHP6,800 per gram.
Charges for violation of Section 5 (sale of dangerous drugs) and Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being readied against the suspect.
The Thursday morning haul was the latest in a series of major police anti-drug operations here since May 18.
In three separate operations last Sunday, the BCPO recovered 4.6 kilograms of shabu worth an estimated PHP31.28 million.
Alias Jom or Drake was apprehended by the CDEU, with about 2.5 kgs. of shabu amounting to PHP17 million found in his possession at Country Homes Subdivision, Barangay Estefania.
The operation of Police Station 2 at Purok Lampirong, Barangay 2 led to the arrest of alias Robert and the recovery of a kilo of shabu worth PHP6.8 million.
Alias Cherry of Jaro, Iloilo City, was arrested by operatives of Police Station 8 inside a room at Jade Court 2 motel in Barangay Singcang-Airport, possessing 1.1 kgs. of shabu valued at PHP7.48 million.
In a press conference on Thursday, BCPO Director Col. Joeresty Coronica said large volumes of illegal drugs were able to enter the city before the May 12 elections as BCPO personnel were focused on election-related security.
“Our drug operatives were among the 310 policemen who helped secure the polls in Negros Oriental. The illegal drug traders took advantage of the opportunity, and when the personnel returned to Bacolod, the operation started immediately, resulting in the successful operations on May 18,” he said. (PNA)