“WE’VE been moving forward to promote a drug-free Victorias City throughout our first few months in the office. We have been urging the general public to prohibit the use of any illegal drugs through various means and projects with the help of our law enforcement agencies.”

This was stressed Wednesday, October 26, by Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez following the recent drug bust operation in the city that led to the recent arrest of two suspects yielding about P1.4 million worth of substance believed to be shabu.

Benitez, in a statement, said he supports the efforts of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit and Victorias City Police Station in their special operation and firm implementation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2022.

“I strongly condemn the proliferation of illegal drugs in the community and do not tolerate such detestable acts because I want to protect Victorias from such abominable menace,” he said, adding that “we condemn any unlawful activity and we will not tolerate individuals who committed against the mandate of our laws whoever it may be.”

On Tuesday, October 25, authorities arrested Denmark Liscano alias “Denmark,” 26, of Lopez Subdivision, Marijo Acuña, 37, of Yapquiña Subdivision, both in Barangay 3, Victorias City.

Liscano, who is considered a high-value individual, and Acuña were arrested at the latter’s residence by the joint operatives of the Regional Drugs Enforcement Unit and Victorias City Police Station.

Some 26 sachets of shabu weighing about 200 grams and valued at P1.4 million were recovered from their possession upon their arrests, the police said.

The police also said that the two were arrested after one of them transacted with a poseur buyer to sell two sachets of the banned substance in exchange for P25,000.

Benitez, for his part, said they will let the authorities to further investigate and incarcerate those who are subject to felonies.

Without any bias and with no influence from anyone, justice should be served, and whoever is guilty must be penalized according to the rule of law, the mayor said.

“We will continue being relentless in our advocacy for a drug-free community and make the city a safer and better place to live in,” he added.