AN ESTIMATED P58,000 worth of suspected shabu were seized in separate drug bust operations by operatives of Police Stations 4 and 9 in Bacolod City Tuesday evening, June 6.

The operations also led to the arrest of Ricky Vargas, 35, a resident of Purok Nami-Nami 1, Barangay Sum-ag; and Elizer Martinez, 47, a resident of Gonzaga Street, Barangay 26, both in Bacolod City.

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) records showed Vargas was arrested by operatives of Police Station 9 after he sold a sachet of suspected shabu to a poseur buyer at Purok Busay, Barangay Cabug, at about 11:45 p.m.

Police recovered from Vargas’s possession five sachets of suspected shabu weighing four grams with an estimated market value of P24,000, the P500 marked money, and a matchbox.

Martinez was also arrested by operatives of Police Station 4 at Gonzaga Street, Barangay 26, at about 8:25 p.m.

Police recovered from Martinez’s possession 19 sachets of suspected shabu weighing five grams with an estimated market value of P34,000, and the P500 marked money.

The police said Vargas and Martinez were identified as high-value individuals 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 4 and 9. They will be charged for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Meanwhile, a 44-year-old man was also arrested by operatives of Police Station 5 for violation of illegal possession of firearms at Hacienda Teresita, Barangay Granada, Bacolod City Tuesday evening, June 6.

Police identified the suspect as Noli Dega, a resident of Purok FF Gonzaga, Barangay Vista Alegre.

Major Joery Puerto, commander of Police Station 5, said Dega was arrested in an entrapment operation at about 11:10 p.m.

Police recovered from Dega’s possession a caliber .38 revolver load with four live ammunition, the P1,500 marked money, and a coin purse.

The police also recovered two stolen fighting cocks placed inside a native bag.

The suspect is detained at the custodial facility of Police Station 5. He will be charged with violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.*