AN ESTIMATED total of P425,000 worth of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) was seized in two separate drug busts in Negros Occidental Saturday, April 7.
In Bacolod City, two siblings were collared in a drug bust at Purok Maabi-abihon in Barangay 35 around 3 p.m. that led to a recovery of P375,000 worth of suspected shabu.
Inspector Adrian James Albaytar, assistant team leader of City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), identified the target subject as George Valente, 49, and his younger sister Jennelyn Valente, 36.
Both are newly-identified and street-level target drug personalities.
Police confiscated from them eight sachets of suspected shabu, and the P1,000 marked money.
Albaytar said the husband of the younger Valente was arrested last year for drugs.
The Valente family is reportedly engaged in the illegal drug trade as their "family business," he added.
Both will be charged with sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs.
Albaytar said the siblings' house is also allegedly used as a venue for "pot session."
The two suspects are detained at Police Station 1.
In Hinigaran town, an alleged member of the Ramos Drug Group was arrested in a drug raid on Osmeña Street in Barangay 3 at 8:30 p.m.
Joint operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-6 and Hinigaran Municipal Police Station arrested Arnel Sabdiong.
Authorities confiscated from him five sachets of suspected shabu amounting to P50,000.
Drug charges are being readied against Sabdiong, who is detained at the town's police station.
In Escalante City, Joseph Muñoz, 27, of Purok Bayong, Barangay Balintawak was collared in a buy-bust in the same village around 5:45 p.m. after he yielded two sachets of suspected shabu, and the P500 marked money. He is detained at the city's police station.