THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will be more aggressive in their campaign against illegal drugs especially during the celebration of the 39th MassKara Festival this October.
Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, acting BCPO director, in a press briefing at the headquarters Thursday, September 20, warned drug personalities they will intensify their operations against narcotics during the 21-day festivity next month.
Ebreo said they received information that there will be a big demand on the supply of illegal drugs during the festival because of the influx of people.
“They are minimizing their supply now to provide a big volume of drugs next month,” he added.
But Ebreo stressed they continue their monitoring to avoid such situation.
Meanwhile, Ebreo presented the accomplishment of the BCPO on the anti-illegal drug campaign from September 1 to 18, with a recovery of 173.3 grams of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) worth P2.6 million and 2.9 grams of suspected marijuana amounting to P663.
The city police force has conducted 26 operations which resulted in the apprehension of 32 persons.
Of the total number of arrested persons, two are high-value targets, three street-level targets, and 27 are newly-identified drug personalities. A total of 76 cases were filed.
Ebreo said the drug haul this month is lower than last month’s P10 million drug recoveries covering the same period because suspects or those involved in syndicate know that their arrested companions will provide more information to the police which can also lead to their arrest.
“Ibig sabihin mas nag-iingat sila ngayon (it only means they are more careful now). That’s why they are making new strategies to avoid the police,” Ebreo said.
But police stressed they are maximizing their efforts to address the drug menace in the society.
Nabbed
Operatives of City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) arrested Twinkle Delfin and Philip Cocjin in a drug bust at Barangay 28 this city on Thursday, September 20, for the recovery of seven sachets of suspected shabu weighing 15 grams worth P180,000, pouch, and the P1,000 marked money. Both suspects are detained at Police Station 4.
Also arrested on the same day was Khim Rose Derla for sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs in a drug bust at the parking area of Bacolod City Government Center in Barangay Villamonte, which resulted to the confiscation of two sachets of suspected shabu weighing five grams worth P60, 000, cellular phone, and a motorcycle. Derla is detained at Police Station 4.
On September 20, a 17-year-old boy of Barangay 1, whose name was withheld, was also arrested in a drug bust at Purok Sigay, Barangay 2 after police seized from him 12 sachets of suspected shabu weighing two grams worth P24, 000.
Drug test
Ebreo said results of the drug test conducted to anti-drug operatives of BCPO two weeks ago yielded negative results.
He said he is happy knowing that 100 percent of the personnel of CDEU and members of the Station Drug Enforcement Teams (SDETs) are negative for drug use. (GYM)