In a series of coordinated operations, law enforcement in Central Visayas has successfully confiscated more than PHP109 million worth of shabu across various locations in Cebu and Negros Oriental. The largest seizure occurred in Lapu-Lapu City, where a 42-year-old unemployed man was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Buaya’s Zone 7. The suspect, a resident of Barangay Lagtang in Talisay City, was found with over 15 kilograms of shabu, cleverly concealed in plastic packs disguised as tea bags within his trolley bag. The drugs were valued at PHP102.3 million. Lt. Col. Christian Torres, the spokesperson for the Lapu-Lapu City police, revealed that the suspect had been under surveillance for a month prior to his arrest. He was known to distribute at least three kilograms of shabu weekly, primarily operating within the tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu. In other operations, 200 grams of shabu worth PHP1.3 million were seized in Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City, while Mandaue City’s Police Station 3 confiscated another 200 grams valued at PHP1.5 million. Additionally, two sting operations in Cebu City resulted in the seizure of 130.25 grams of illegal substances worth PHP885,700. In Valencia, Negros Oriental, authorities apprehended a suspected drug dealer with 500 grams of shabu, valued at PHP3.4 million.
