DRUG HAUL. Five kilos of suspected shabu packed in tea bags valued at PHP34 million were seized by anti-drug operatives from a suspect, who was said to have traveled from Cebu, during a buy-bust in Escalante City, Negros Occidental on March 4, 2022. Security in various ports of entry in the province has been strengthened to prevent the entry of illegal drugs, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office said on Tuesday (March 7, 2022). (File photo courtesy of Police Regional Office-Western Visayas)
BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has strengthened security in various ports of entry in the province to prevent the entry of illegal drugs.
“We cannot disregard the fact that large volumes of illegal drugs enter the province through our seaports,” NOCPPO spokesperson Lt. Abegael Donasco said in a virtual press conference on Tuesday.
During a buy-bust in Escalante City on March 4, a high-value target suspect was arrested for possession of five kilos of suspected shabu packed in tea bags worth PHP34 million, based on the standard drug price of PHP6.8 million per kilo.
Suspect Vicente Sepuesca, 42, was said to have traveled to Cebu and arrived through a port in the northern Negros city.
Donasco said the police stations, together with the Philippine National Police Maritime Group and the Philippine Coast Guard, are enforcing tighter security measures in the entry and exit of ferries between Cebu Province and Negros Occidental.
In northern Negros, previous illegal drug apprehensions were also conducted in San Carlos City, which also has a port of entry for ferries and travelers from Cebu.
Last January 24, two suspects were also caught transporting three kilos of suspected shabu on board a roll-on/roll-off vessel at Bredco port in the reclamation area of the city.
The illegal drugs seized, valued at PHP20.4 million, were found in the trunk of the suspects’ vehicle after the contraband was detected during a random K9 inspection. (PNA)
