2 ex-convicts, 2 others yield P1.02M in 'shabu'

THE City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) seized an estimated P1.02 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu from two ex-convicts and their two alleged drug runners in a drug bust at Barangay Singcang-Airport in Bacolod City Wednesday night.

Inspector Adrian James Albaytar, assistant team leader of CDEU, identified the target subjects as Pastor Palo and Renante Sonalan, and their two alleged drug runners Jesus Paurillo, and Jesus Rodriguez.

Albaytar said the transaction was held at Sonalan's house around 8 p.m.

Police recovered from them 21 sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 85 to 95 grams, the P2,000 marked money, two sling bags, and a digital weighing scale.

Albaytar said Palo, Paurillo, and Rodriguez went to Sonalan's house probably to do the repacking of the contraband.

“Based on our surveillance, Paurillo and Rodriguez would usually be asked to send the items to their clients and in exchange, they will be able to use drugs for free at Sonalan's house,” Albaytar said.

He also said that Sonalan's house is also allegedly being used as a venue for "pot session.”

Albaytar said they were placed under surveillance for one month and a half.

He said Palo and Sonalan are considered high-value targets because they are reportedly connected to a bigtime drug group in the city, which he refused to name.

They are also both under the watchlist of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), he added.

Palo was previously arrested twice for drug charges while Sonalan was previously charged for robbery.

Albaytar said Palo and Sonalan started engaging in the illegal drug trade after they were released from Metro Bacolod District Jail-Special Intensive Care Area (MBDJ-Sica) in Barangay Taculing when their cases were dismissed.

Albaytar also said that Palo had served his sentence at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City for drug charges.

Albaytar said they could not yet tell if both suspects were also engaged in the illegal drug trade during their jail term.

He also said that the drugs are distributed to different areas in Bacolod.

He clarified that the drugs are not sourced out from the national penitentiary.

Albaytar said the suspects get their supply from their sources in Negros Occidental.

However, he refused to provide further details as they are still investigating it.

Palo and Sonalan will be charged for sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs while Paurillo and Rodriguez will be facing charges for illegal possession of dangerous drugs.

All four suspects are detained at Police Station 8.

Meanwhile, the suspects refused to give their comment on the drug recovery and their apprehension. (GYM/SunStar Bacolod)