P1.12M shabu seized from HVI

CEBU, Philippines — More than ?1.12 million worth of suspected shabu was seized and a High-Value Individual (HVI) was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Sitio Kolis, Barangay Tangke, Talisay City, on the evening of Friday, June 19.

The operation was conducted by personnel of the City of Talisay Police Station through its City Drug Enforcement Unit following sustained intelligence monitoring and validation of reports on the suspect’s alleged involvement in illegal drug activities.

Police said the suspect was arrested after allegedly selling suspected shabu to an undercover operative during the entrapment operation.

Recovered from the suspect were several sachets containing suspected shabu with a total estimated weight of 165 grams and estimated at ?1,122,000.

Also confiscated were marked buy-bust money consisting of one genuine ?1,000 bill and one genuine ?500 bill, an additional ?1,500 believed to be proceeds from illegal drug transactions, and a black sling bag allegedly used to store the contraband.

The suspect was brought to the Talisay City Police Station for documentation and temporary detention. The seized evidence was turned over to the Cebu Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory examination.

Cebu Police Provincial Office Director Police Colonel Abubakar Udang Mangelen Jr. lauded the operating units and said intelligence-driven operations and coordination with partner agencies will continue to ensure that drug offenders are brought to justice. He also urged the public to report illegal drug activities to help maintain safer communities in Cebu. — (FREEMAN)