AN ESTIMATED P74,000 worth of suspected “shabu” or methamphetamine hydrochloride was seized in separate drug busts of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) in Bacolod City from February 26 and 27.

The operations led to the arrest of Elester Palmes, 26, of Purok Kabugwason, Barangay Mansilingan; and Amadeo Hollero, 36, of Purok Narra Baybay, Brgy. 8.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that Palmes was arrested by operatives of Police Station 2 after he sold a sachet of shabu to a police undercover at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

Palmes yielded five sachets of suspected shabu with estimated market value of P32,000, the P500 marked money, and drug paraphernalia, police said.

Hollero was also arrested by operatives of Police Station 8 at Purok Narra Baybay, Barangay 8 at about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday.

Police recovered from Hollero’s possession four sachets of suspected shabu with estimated market value of P42,000, and the P500 marked money.

Pico said the suspects were identified as street level target in Bacolod City. They were under surveillance for almost a month before their arrest.

The suspects are detained at the custodial facilities of Police Stations 2 and 8 and facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (MAP)