TACLOBAN CITY– Police arrested a 48-year-old architect who was allegedly identified as a high-value drug personality and seized about P309,400 worth of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Cavite, Palo town in Leyte on Sunday, July 26.
The Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO) said the operation led to the confiscation of approximately 45.5 grams of suspected shabu, based on the Dangerous Drugs Board valuation.
The suspect, identified only as alias “George,” a resident of the barangay, was arrested after a police poseur-buyer allegedly purchased a sachet of suspected shabu from him.
A subsequent body search led to the recovery of two more sachets of suspected shabu and the marked money used in the operation, police said.
The operation was conducted by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, in coordination with the Provincial Intelligence Unit and the Palo Municipal Police Station’s Station Drug Enforcement Unit.
Police said the suspect is facing charges for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, covering the illegal sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs.
The seized drug evidence was marked, inventoried and photographed at the place of arrest in the presence of the suspect and required witnesses, police said. The evidence was subsequently submitted to the Regional Forensic Unit 8 for qualitative and quantitative laboratory examination.
The suspect and the confiscated evidence were brought to the Palo Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition. The police said the appropriate criminal complaints were being prepared for filing in court.
Col. Celerino Sacro Jr., officer-in-charge of the LPPO, commended the operating units and said the provincial police would continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations against illegal drugs.
The arrest forms part of the LPPO’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs through sustained police operations and coordination among law enforcement units.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
