AN ESTIMATED P708,000 worth of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) were seized in three buy-bust operations in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on April 9.

Lieutenant Colonel D’ Artagnan Katalbas Jr., city police chief, said the first operation was conducted against Siegfred Bulak Jr., 26, of Barangay 6, which resulted to the recovery of two sachets of suspected shabu worth P12,000, the P500 marked money, and a lighter.

Bulak tried to elude arrest but he was cornered at Barangay 4.

It was followed by two operations at Barangay 2, after police got an information from Bulak about the illegal drug trade at the said village.

Arrested at the cockpit arena in the said village were high value targets - Charlemagne Mavida, 27, of Barangay 2; Rafael Tuhao, 19, of Barangay Rizal; and Maria Rizyl Abilla, 23, of Barangay 6 after police seized from them eight grams of suspected shabu worth P96,000.

Katalbas said the three suspects are alleged members of a drug group reportedly based in Cebu.

The drug group has been recently identified by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), he said, adding that some of its members are from here influenced by the neighboring area.

Meanwhile, a follow-up operation was conducted against Medel Calinawan Jr. of Barangay 2 after he was identified by the three suspects as their source for the illegal drugs. However, he was able to escape.

Katalbas said 50 grams of suspected shabu worth P600,000 were recovered from his house.

He said they are still probing the main source of the contraband.

It could be from other areas, he said, referring to the supplier of the drugs.

Filing of charges for sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs, and illegal possession of drug paraphernalia are being readied against the four suspects who are detained at San Carlos City Police Station.