THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Negros Occidental arrested a medical doctor and his alleged cohort in a drug bust along Circumferential Road at Barangay Taculing in Bacolod City Sunday.
The operation resulted in a recovery of an estimated of P408,000 worth of dangerous drugs.
Grace Cruz, PDEA-Negros Occidental officer-in-charge, identified the suspects as Dr. Solomon Tan, and Ramonito Lee.
Cruz said Tan is a high-value target (HVT) and also under the target list of PDEA.
The two suspects were on board a white van, which Lee was driving, during the transaction around 4:30 p.m.
PDEA operatives recovered from them 11 sachets of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) weighing 60 grams, the P22,000 marked money, weighing scale, drug paraphernalia, and a van, which is owned by Lee's brother.
Cruz said Tan is the alleged doctor who treated the injuries of Western Visayas' drug lord Ramy Poja when the latter engaged in a shootout with the personnel of Police Station 3 during their anti-illegal gambling drive in Barangay Banago last May.
On that same day, police found Poja hiding at his relative's house, where Tan was also reportedly seen.
However, another firefight happened when Poja resisted arrest.
It even led to his death and his cousin, Roberto Lim. His other cousin was also injured.
Tan managed to escape during the firefight that prompted the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to look for him. They also probe his connection with Poja.
Meanwhile, Cruz said that Lee is Tan's alleged cohort, who might also be involved in the illegal drug trade.
Both suspects are now under the custody of PDEA in Barangay Mandalagan.
Charges for sale in relation to conspiracy, and illegal possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia will be filed against the suspects.