High-value drug target in Central Visayas killed in buy-bust

James Reyes, a suspected high-value drug target in Central Visayas, was killed in a buy-bust in Sierra Bullones, Bohol on Saturday night. Photo courtesy: PIB-Bohol

SIERRA BULLONES, Bohol — A man tagged as a high-value target in the police’s anti-narcotics campaign was killed in a drug buy-bust operation on Saturday evening, police said.

Senior Insp. Jojit Mananquil, head of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) of the Bohol Police Provincial Office, identified the victim as James Reyes, 40, a resident of Pilar town, Bohol.

Police said Reyes was gunned down after he shot at the police in a buy-bust operation by joint police operatives of the PIB, Regional Special Operations Group and Sierra Bullones Police Station at the cockpit arena here around 7 p.m.

Senior Inspector Ricardo Tero, who led the buy-bust operation against Reyes, said the suspect drew his gun and tried to fire at the police after he realized that he was transacting with a police poseur buyer.

Tero said Reyes ranked six in the list of high value drug targets in Central Visayas.

He was elevated to the list of priority targets after police monitored the growing reach of the suspect’s illegal drug operations, added Tero.

Reyes was rushed to Congressman Simeon Torribio Memorial Hospital for treatment but he was declared dead on arrival due to multiple gunshot wounds.

Recovered from Reyes were two medium-sized sachets of suspected shabu and P500 marked money.Also seized was a Toyota Fortuner vehicle owned by Reyes, a loaded shotgun and ammunition, four sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P354,000.