AT LEAST 11 persons were arrested and one was killed in four separate anti-drug operations in Eastern Visayas.
In Maasin City, operatives from Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office-Drug Enforcement Unit (SLPPO-DEU) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested Renan Jonas Sabalo, 31, on Thursday afternoon, September 17.
A poseur buyer was able to buy from Sabalo four heat-sealed plastic sachets containing shabu in consideration of P4,000.
The poseur buyer used a genuine P1,000 and three pieces of boodle money to get the illegal drugs.
Confiscated from Sabalo were four heat-sealed plastic sachets of shabu, one heat sealed plastic sachet of dried marijuana leaves, P1,510 cash and a mobile phone.
In Sulat, Eastern Samar, authorities arrested an alleged high-value target identified as Anthony Klint Aserit on September 17.
Purchased and confiscated during the operation were seven transparent plastic sachets containing shabu with an estimated market value of P6,000.
The buy-bust was led by PDEA, along with elements from Eastern Samar Provincial Police and Sulat Municipal Police Station.
Four suspected drug personalities were also arrested in Barngay-101, Villa Dolina Subdivision in Tacloban City on September 15.
The suspects were identified as "Niño," 23, resident Baranga-93; "Ron," 24, resident of Barangay-101; "Rya," 24, a resident of Barangay-93; and "Mar," 27, a resident of Barangay-93.
Tacloban City Police Office-Police Station 2 confiscated 10 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing shabu with an estimated value of P150,500, other drug paraphernalia, mobile phone, and one P500 bill used as buy-bust money.
On September 13, a joint police operation led to the dismantling of an alleged drug den in Barangay-66, Paseo de Legaspi in Tacloban City.
Also arrested were five suspects identified as Neil "Bonel" Quijano, alleged drug den maintainer; Jade Thaddeus Tejones, alleged visitor; Mark Kim Gervacio, alleged visitor; Marilou Herrera, alleged drug den employee; and Jay-R Fabillar, alleged visitor.
One died during the operation. The fatality was identified as Jojo Tejones. Another suspect eluded arrest and he was identified as Jessie "Hapon" Bagunas, police said.
Purchased and confiscated during the operation were several heat-sealed sachets of shabu weighing MOL 15 grams and with an estimated market value of P102,000, as well various drug paraphernalia.
The suspects will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (SunStar Philippines)