Drug suspects arrested during 'pot session' in Dumaguete

DUMAGUETE CITY – Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives in Negros Oriental arrested six persons in an anti-illegal drugs operation Wednesday in this city.

An initial police report said that a joint team of elements from the PNP Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, the Provincial Intelligence Bureau-Special Operations Group, the Dumaguete Police Station and the provincial PDEA conducted a drug bust Wednesday morning at Barangay Looc, Dumaguete City.

During the operation, the team arrested Irene L. Mabigo, a resident of Barangay Looc.

Dumaguete Police Chief Superintendent Jonathan Pineda on Thursday disclosed that Mabigo had previously volunteered to authorities at the height of the PNP’s Oplan TokHang but apparently she did not heed the call for her to stop her alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade.

The operative’s confiscated five plastic transparent sachets of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), a P500 bill used for the buy bust operation and other “drug paraphernalia.”

Also arrested during the same operation were Lowell P. Villamil, Ebenezer S. Yanco, and Darlo Banabana, who were allegedly having a “pot session”, the police report said.

Two others, identified as Arnaldo V. Balahan and Daryl Pis-an, were also caught allegedly having in their possession suspected shabu.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act as amended are now being readied against the suspects who are now under detention. (PNA)