P5-M illegal drugs seized in Albay

THE Albay Police Provincial Office (APPO) has seized more than P5 million worth of illegal drugs in the past nine months from 179 suspects as part of its sustained war against the drug menace.

Capt. Dexter Panganiban, APPO spokesperson, reported on Tuesday, Sept. 29 that some 833.97 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P5 million and 140.47 grams of marijuana with an estimated street value of P16,857 were confiscated during several police operations in the province since January this year.

“These were the offshoots of 142 anti-illegal drugs operations composed of two search warrant operations, 136 buy-bust operations, and other police operations,” Panganiban said.

He added that 135 of the 179 illegal drug personalities arrested during the operations are now facing criminal charges in court.

APPO director, Col. Primitivo Bayongan Jr., said the strict implementation of border control and quarantine protocols by those manning the quarantine checkpoints and borders have “effectively restricted the movements and the ‘playing field’ of the purveyors of illegal drugs.”

“Yung kooperasyon po at willingness ng community to finally end this societal scourge has also played an indispensable role in this accomplishment, and for that, we are grateful,” Bayongan said.

Meanwhile, in Camarines Sur, a 50 year-old public school teacher was collared with P1.7 million worth of suspected shabu at a drug sting on Tuesday (Set. 29) night in Nabua town in Camarines Sur.

Arrested was Tirzo Rolando Duran of Barangay Sto Domingo, according to Police Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson.

The suspect a high value target (HVT) illegal drug pusher was caught selling a shabu to an undercover police agent in said village at around 8:50 PM.

DRUG PUSHERS. Some of the arrested drug pushers during police operations in Albay in the past nine months, where some P5 million worth of illegal drugs were seized from 179 suspects. (Photo courtesy of Albay PPO)