Over P109M shabu seized in Central Visayas in 2 days

CEBU, Philippines — A total of 16-kilogram worth of shabu, with an estimated value of P109.5 million, was seized by the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 during a series of coordinated operations in Central Visayas from November 21 to 22, 2024.

Seventeen illegal drug operations were conducted over the two-day period, resulting in the arrest of 19 individuals.

PRO-7 reported that the largest seizure occurred at around 3:06 a.m. on November 22, 2024, when the Lapu City Police Office’s City Intelligence Unit/City Drug Enforcement Unit, in collaboration with NISG-NAVFORCEN and the Regional Intelligence Unit 7, executed a well-planned operation.

The operation led to the arrest of a 42-year-old high-profile drug suspect and the confiscation of over 15 kilograms of shabu, hidden in a trolley bag, valued at P102,340,000.

In another operation on November 21, the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit apprehended a suspect at 9:42 p.m. and seized 200 grams of illegal drugs worth P1,360,000 on Saint Jude Street, Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City.

In Valencia, Negros Oriental, authorities successfully apprehended a drug dealer late on November 21, recovering around 500 grams of illegal drugs valued at P3.4 million.

In this joint effort, multiple units, including the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and the Police Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit-7, worked together, highlighting the power of collaboration in law enforcement.

Additionally, an operation in Mandaue City resulted in the seizure of 200 grams of illegal drugs worth P1,564,000 by operatives from Police Station 3 of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO).

In two other sting operations in Cebu City, law enforcement successfully confiscated at least 130.25 grams of illegal substances valued at P885,700, further intensifying the pressure on those involved in the drug trade.

PRO-7 stated that all seized drugs have been properly documented and transferred to forensic units for thorough examination.

The suspects are facing charges under Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, PRO-7 further noted.

Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, PRO-7’s regional director, expressed pride in the accomplishments of the various police units involved.

“This operation is the largest drug bust of November, reflecting months of strategic intelligence gathering and thorough monitoring of high-profile drug traffickers. I commend the teams for their hard work and determination in these operations," said Aberin in a PRO-7 Facebook post.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Board approved separate resolutions commending drug-cleared barangays in Oslob and Asturias towns.

Through Resolution No. 0940, series of 2024, Barangay Can-ukban in Oslob, and Resolution Nos. 0930 and 0931, series of 2024, for Barangays Lunas and Langub in Asturias, were officially declared "drug-cleared" by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing Operations in Central Visayas (ROCBDC-7).

This declaration was made in accordance with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Memorandum Circular No. 2020-026 and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 4, series of 2021, which sustain the implementation of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP).

The three barangays have met all the requirements under PDEA Memorandum Circular No. 2020-06 (Omnibus Procedures for Declaring a Drug-Affected Barangay as “Drug-Cleared”) and DDB Regulation No. 4, series of 2021.

According to the proposed resolutions, the barangays were officially declared drug-cleared following thorough deliberations by the committee, which is chaired by the regional director of PDEA-7.

The Cebu provincial government expressed gratitude for the success of ongoing efforts to combat illegal drugs, underscoring the steadfast support of local government units in implementing the Barangay Drug Clearing Program across cities, municipalities, and barangays.

“It is the paramount concern of the local government unit to maintain peace and order and effectively curb the proliferation of dangerous drugs and substances,” the resolutions stated, as quoted in a portion authored by Provincial Board Member Thadeo Jovito Ouano, who chairs the PB Committee on Public Safety, Peace and Order; and Dangerous Drugs Prevention. — (FREEMAN)