ORMOC CITY— A 51-year-old hospital employee listed as a high-value individual (HVI) in the local drug watchlist was arrested in a buy-bust operation Tuesday afternoon, February 24, in Barangay Cristina, Calubian, Leyte.
Operatives of the Station Drug Enforcement Team (SDET) of the Calubian Municipal Police Station carried out the operation at around 3:27 p.m., leading to the arrest of alias “Bobby,” a married utility worker at the North Western Leyte District Hospital and a resident of Barangay Cristina.
Calubian Officer-in-Charge Maj. Niño Cabañas said the suspect sold one sachet of suspected shabu worth P500 to an undercover operative.
A subsequent body search conducted in the presence of mandatory witnesses resulted in the recovery of a red coin purse containing six additional sachets of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu.
Authorities said the confiscated illegal drugs had an estimated total weight of 0.66 grams with a Dangerous Drugs Board value of P4,488.
The suspect was informed of the nature of his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.
Charges for violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 have been filed against the suspect, who is currently detained at the Calubian Municipal Police Station custodial facility.
(ROBERT DEJON)
