AN ESTIMATED P135,000 worth of suspected “shabu” or methamphetamine hydrochloride was seized in separate drug busts of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) in Bacolod City Monday morning, March 9.
The operations led to the arrest of Ronrick Banaban, 29; and Joenel Vallangca, 38, both residents of Barangay Banago.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of BCPO, said that Banaban was arrested by operatives of Police Station 8 led by Police Major Charles Gever after he sold a sachet of shabu to a police undercover at Purok Lawayan, Barangay Banago at about 12:30 a.m.
Police recovered from Banaban’s possession seven sachets of shabu weighing 13 grams with estimated market value P117,000, and the P300 marked money.
Pico said Banaban was identified as street level target in Bacolod City. He was under surveillance for almost a month before his arrest.
Vallangca was also arrested by operatives of BCPO- City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) led by BCPO director Henry Biñas at Purok Kalingawan, Sitio Sebucao, Barangay Banago.
Vallangca’s companion Raymart Maat managed to escape during the operation.
Police recovered from Vallangca’s possession 10 sachets of shabu weighing two grams with estimated market value P18,000, the P500 marked money, and a pouch.
The suspects are detained at the custodial facility of Police Stations 3 and 8 and are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (MAP)