ORMOC CITY- Police arrested a 31-year-old man and seized an estimated 29.19 grams of suspected shabu valued at P198,492 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay West here on July 21.
The operation was conducted at about 8:49 p.m. in Isla Verde by joint operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), Station Drug Enforcement Team of Police Station 1, City Intelligence Unit of the Ormoc City Police Office and the Regional Intelligence Operations Unit 8.
The suspect, identified only as alias “Tommy,” was described by police as a high-value individual involved in the illegal drug trade. He is unemployed and a resident of the area.
Police said an operative purchased one sachet of suspected shabu from the suspect for P5,500. The sachet reportedly weighed 1.19 grams.
A subsequent body search, conducted in the presence of witnesses required by law, led to the recovery of the marked money used in the operation, along with additional suspected shabu.
Police recovered seven sachets and one larger sachet containing suspected shabu from a black coin purse and a small brown paper bag allegedly in the suspect’s possession.
The suspect reportedly admitted to becoming involved in the illegal drug trade after his employment contract with a local mall expired.
Police said the suspect was informed of the reason for his arrest and apprised of his constitutional rights in a language he understood.
He is temporarily detained at the locked-up cell of Police Station 1 while police prepare charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
(ROBERT DEJON)
