Simultaneous police ops net P15-M shabu in Central Visayas

CEBU CITY – The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) on Monday said some PHP15-million worth of illegal drugs believed to be shabu were confiscated during simultaneous enhanced managing police operations (SEMPO) over the weekend.

Brig. Gen. Roque Eduardo Vega, PRO-7 director, said the illegal substance was confiscated in just one day during the conduct of simultaneous operations in the region on Sunday which were "fundamentally aimed at reducing crime and enhancing public safety management with the full support of the community."

Vega said the SEMPO of the Philippine National Police includes operations against illegal gambling, loose firearms and explosives, as well as wanted persons, aside from illegal drugs.

As a result of 172 operations, the same number of drug suspects were arrested and 2,222.95 grams of shabu with a standard price of PHP15,116,060 were seized across the four provinces in the region.

The bulk of the illegal drugs seized came from this capital city.

Lt. Col. Janette Rafter, Cebu City police deputy director for operations, said in a press conference that 34 operations were conducted here over the weekend in consonance with the region-wide SEMPO and yielded 1.6 kilos of shabu worth PHP11.4 million, and the arrest of 37 drug personalities.

Meanwhile, during anti-illegal gambling operations, 229 persons were arrested region-wide, and 152 gambling paraphernalia and cash amounting to PHP21,101 were confiscated.

Vega also said a total of 257 firearms and two explosives were also seized.

In the operations against loose firearms, cops in the region arrested 18 individuals who are now facing charges in violation of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013.

"Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, PRO-7 took the challenge to intensify police operations in the region. I congratulate everyone on a job well done and for making each operation successful," Vega said. (PNA)