DUMAGUETE CITY -- Three persons were arrested and some PHP450,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized in two separate anti-illegal drug operations conducted in Negros Oriental province on Thursday and Friday.
Ernesito Sonjaco, 52, was arrested in his residence in Purok 1, Barangay West Balabag, Valencia town at about 6:20 a.m. Friday as he was being served a search warrant by operatives of the police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Found at his house were 20 plastic sachets of different sizes containing suspected shabu, worth PHP238,000, a weighing scale, and assorted drug paraphernalia, such as lighters and tooters.
The suspect is on the police’s watch list of drug personalities.
Meanwhile, police and PDEA operatives also seized some PHP170,000 worth of shabu and arrested two suspected drug pushers during a joint buy-bust operation in this city close to midnight on Thursday.
The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) identified the suspects as John Ruel Gutib Decipolo and Dolores Opales Miranda.
They were arrested in Barangay Poblacion 2 after allegedly trying to sell suspected shabu to an undercover agent.
Confiscated during the operation were 20 plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, weighing more or less 25 grams, two cellular phones, disposable lighters, one black pouch with PHP700, the PHP500 used as buy-bust money, and personal items.
The authorities are currently preparing to file cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act against the suspects, who are being held in detention. (PNA)
