P121,200 ‘shabu’ seized in Villamonte drug bust

AN ESTIMATED P121, 200 worth of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) was seized in a drug bust by operatives of Police Station 4 at Purok 45, Gonzaga Subdivision, Barangay Villamonte in Bacolod City yesterday.

The operation also led to the arrest of five drug personalities identified as Rafael Martir, his brother Jessie Martir, and their companions Jerry Limbaga, John Philip Laureta, and Jo Ailain Gonzaga, all of Bacolod City.

Police Captain Rey Tolosa Jr., chief of Police Station 4, said the target of the operation was Rafael, who was arrested after he sold a sachet of shabu to a police undercover at about 3:56 a.m.

He said Rafael’s brother and their three companions were also in the area.

Police recovered from the suspects’ possession 12 sachets of shabu, the P500 marked money, and drug paraphernalia.

Tolosa said Rafael was included in the drug watchlist of Bacolod City Police Office and was under surveillance for almost a month before his arrest.

“We neutralized them through the effort and cooperation of the Barangay Anti-drug Abuse Council of Barangay Villamonte,” he said.

Tolosa believed that Rafael is getting supply from drug personalities in Barangays Granada and Alijis.

The suspects detained at the custodial facility of the police station are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.*