ORMOC CITY — Authorities arrested a 46-year-old welder and recovered more than a kilo of suspected shabu during a buy-bust operation in Barangay San Jose, Palo, Leyte late Monday night, May 4.
The suspect, identified only as alias “Johnny,” a resident of Barangay Cavite West, Palo, was tagged as a high-value individual in the drug watchlist of both the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The operation, conducted at around 11:27 p.m., was led by the PDEA Regional Office 8 in coordination with the Leyte Police Provincial Office–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Special Enforcement Team/Tacloban City Office, and the local police Station Drug Enforcement Team.
Authorities said the suspect was caught after selling suspected illegal drugs to undercover operatives. A total of approximately 1,025 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P6.97 million, was confiscated. This included a 25-gram sachet sold during the transaction and a 1,000-gram pack recovered from his possession.
Also seized were marked buy-bust money, a digital weighing scale, packaging materials, and a motorcycle allegedly used in the operation.
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 Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 have been filed by PDEA. The suspect is currently detained at the Palo Municipal Police Station pending further legal proceedings.
(ROBERT DEJON)
