ORMOC CITY– Authorities arrested a high-value individual (HVI) and recovered suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Southern Leyte Police Provincial Office and the Station Drug Enforcement Team on Monday afternoon, April 21, 2025, in Barangay Upper Ichon, Macrohon.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Joey,” 31, single, and jobless, is a resident of said village.
Police said the operatives initially recovered five sachets of a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu after the suspect sold it to an undercover agent for P7,000.
During the subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses, authorities found an additional medium-sized sachet containing more suspected shabu.
Also recovered from the suspect were P7,000 in cash used in the operation; and boodle money worth P6,000 used to simulate the transaction).
Police noted that the actual weight and value of the seized illegal drugs will be determined by the Regional Forensic Unit (RFU) 8.
The suspect was immediately informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine, using a language he fully understood.
He is currently detained at the Macrohon Municipal Police Station as charges for violations of Sections 5 (sale of illegal drugs) and 11 (possession of illegal drugs) under Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against him at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
(ROBERT DEJON)
