ABOUT P1.2 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) was seized in a drug bust conducted by operatives of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Drug Enforcement Unit at the city's Barangay Punta Taytay early morning Friday, May 13.

The operation also led to the arrest of Pearl Je-Ann Elera, 26, and her live-in partner Riegel Troy Quimba, 20.

Police records showed that the suspects were arrested after one of them sold a sachet of shabu to a poseur buyer.

Thirty-two sachets and a plastic bag containing the contraband that weighs 174 grams, the P1,500 marked money and P200 in cash were recovered from the couple upon their arrest.

The police said the suspects, who were identified as high-value individuals, were under surveillance for almost a month before their arrest.

The police are now verifying the report that Elera allegedly sourced her illegal drug supply from her stepfather, who is currently jailed at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

This after she admitted to the police that she was communicating with her stepfather, the police said.

The suspects are now detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 9.

Charges for violation of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be filed against them.