LEGAZPI CITY – Authorities arrested nine suspected drug personalities and recovered more than P405,000 worth of shabu (crystal meth) in separate operations in the Bicol region on Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 21 and 22).
In Naga City, Camarines Sur, brothers Marvin Badilla, 24, and Augosto, 40, both included on the illegal drugs watchlist, were arrested in Barangay (village) Peñafrancia at around 1:35 a.m. on Sunday.
Senior Master Sergeant Tobias Bongon, Naga City police spokesperson, said the suspects sold a sachet of shabu worth P1,000.
A total of 1.5 grams of shabu worth P10,200 was confiscated from the suspects.
In Barangay Igualdad, Angelo Cipres, 52, was also arrested for selling a sachet of shabu worth P3,000 around 9:40 p.m. on Saturday.
Bongon said a total of three grams of shabu worth P20,400 was confiscated from the suspect.
At around 10:30 p.m., a sachet of shabu worth P1,360 was found in an abandoned house in Barangay Cararayan.
Bongon said the owner of the house earlier reported that unidentified individuals allegedly entered the building.
An investigation is ongoing to identify the persons who possibly left the suspected illegal drugs in the area.
In Magarao town in the same province, Aldin Fortuna, 36, and Luis Tampoco Jr., 50, were also arrested in Barangay Sta. Lucia at around 5:05 p.m.
Colonel Julius Caesar Domingo, Camarines Sur police chief, said in a report that police confiscated four small sachets and five medium sachets of shabu from the suspect.
In Albay province, Joemar Oliveros, 31, and Giovamme Shandel De Lumen, 42, were arrested in Barangay Cabagnan West in Legazpi City at around 1:18 p.m.
Lieutenant Kharren Formales, Albay police spokesperson, said in a report that a gram of shabu worth P6,800 was confiscated from the suspects.
In Polangui town, Rolly Luna, 38, and Melchor Prince Millare, 35, were also arrested in Barangay Ubaliw at around 1:50 a.m.
The suspects sold a big plastic sachet of shabu worth P 17,000.
Formales said during the body search, another three big sachets or 50 grams of shabu with an estimated market value of P340,000 was seized from Luna, while a medium sachet of shabu worth P10,200 was also recovered from Millare.
The suspects were facing charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
READ: 3 nabbed for illegal drugs in Camarines Sur