By Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – A 21-year-old man in possession of more than PHP2 million of suspected drugs was arrested on Tuesday in a buy-bust in Sorsogon City, Sorsogon province, the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) said.
PRO-5 spokesperson Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib said the suspect, alias “Jeff”, a resident of Aroroy, Masbate, was arrested along a road in a residential area in Barangay Bibincahan at 11:20 a.m.
The arrest led to the confiscation of approximately 300 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated standard drug price of PHP2.04 million.
Seized during the operation were four knot-tied plastic sachets containing suspected illegal drugs.
Authorities also recovered one genuine PHP1,000 bill placed on top of several boodle money bills used as marked buy-bust money, along with other non-drug-related items.
The suspect and all confiscated evidence were brought to the PDEA-Sorsogon Provincial Office for documentation and proper disposition.
In a separate interview, PDEA-5 spokesperson Carlos Fernandez III said they are conducting further investigation to determine whether the suspect is affiliated with a drug group.
“The suspect is currently in PDEA custody, but we cannot disclose the exact location. The operation was conducted by our national team, as this suspect has been under surveillance,” he said.
The joint operation was conducted by operatives from the National Special Unit Enforcement Team–Luzon 2 and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Sorsogon Provincial Office, in coordination with Sorsogon City Police Station, Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit, 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Team 2 of PDEG Special Operations Unit 5.
PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon commended the efforts of the operating units and reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs in the Bicol Region.
“This operation reflects our relentless dedication to disrupt drug networks and protect our communities from the dangers of illegal drugs,” he said. (PNA)
