AN ESTIMATED P160,000 worth of suspected “shabu” or methamphetamine hydrochloride was seized in joint drug busts by Police Stations 2 and 3 in Purok Nami-Nami, Barangay Banago, Bacolod City Monday evening, March 9.

The operation led to the arrest of Armando Galgarin, 56, and his two children Arlie, 29, and Raquel, 28, all residents of Barangay Banago.

Their companion Aron Natuel, 55, who was the subject of the drug bust, managed to escape during the operation.

Police Major Sherlock Gabana, chief of Police Station 2, said Tuesday that Natuel, who was included in Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) drug watchlist, escaped by jumping out of the window after he realized that he was transacting with an undercover policeman, who was buying a sachet of shabu at about 7:20 p.m.

He said Natuel’s common-law wife Raquel along with his companion Arlie and their father Armando were arrested in the area.

He added that in previous months, Natuel also managed to escape on drug bust after sensing that he was transacting with an undercover policeman.

Police recovered from the suspects’ possession eight sachets of shabu weighing 20 grams, and the P300 marked money.

Gabana said they are still preparing the charges to be filed against the Galgarin’s siblings, who are detained at station’s custodial facility, and Natuel for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (MAP)