5 suspects fall in drug busts in 3 Bicol provinces

LEGAZPI CITY—Separate anti-drug operations in at least three provinces in the Bicol region led to the arrest of five suspects and seizure of more than P100,000 worth of shabu, or crystal meth.

In Camarines Sur, police arrested Mark Christian Orbon, 39, who has been tagged as a high value target, during an operation at the village of San Jose, Iriga City past noon, according to Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson.

Seized from Orbon was 20 grams of shabu worth P136,000.

In Canaman town, also in Camarines Sur anti-narcotics agents arrested Joseph “Apok” Ballena at the village of Pang-pang shortly before noon.

Found in Ballena’s possession was meth worth at least P15,000.

In Albay, Cleonel Moyo, 34, who had surrendered in the early days of the anti-drug campaign, was arrested while selling meth to an undercover agent at the village of Bitano, Legazpi City around 1 p.m.

Recovered from him was meth worth P11,500.

In Tabaco City, still in Albay, Antonio Butial, 38, also tagged as a high value target, was arrested at the village of Sto. Cristo past 5 p.m.

Police seized meth worth P2,000.

In Masbate, Salvador Ubac, 52, was caught selling three sachets of meth during an anti-drug operation at the village of Espinosa, Masbate City past 3 p.m.

Edited by TSB