PALO, LEYTE — Police in Eastern Visayas arrested several suspected drug personalities and seized over ₱330,000 worth of suspected shabu in a series of buy-bust operations across Leyte on Wednesday, September 4.
The operations were carried out by the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) under the leadership of Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jason L. Capoy.
In Barangay San Jose, Palo, police arrested a 24-year-old man known by the alias “Jose,” who is listed as the No. 6 priority target in the region. He was caught in a buy-bust operation with 5.68 grams of suspected shabu, estimated to be worth ₱38,624.
In a separate operation in the same barangay, authorities arrested two more suspects. A 47-year-old man known as “Rael,” classified as a high-value target, and “Jemar,” 28, a street-level individual, were caught with 30.28 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱205,904.
Meanwhile, in Tacloban City, more arrests followed. A suspect identified as “Hans,” 30, was nabbed in Barangay 59-A with 5 grams of suspected shabu worth ₱34,000.
Two other men — “Lito,” 54, and “Louie,” 27 — were arrested in Barangay 85 in possession of another 5 grams of shabu, also valued at ₱34,000. In Barangay 57, a 52-year-old man known as “Rudy” was caught with 3 grams of suspected shabu, worth ₱20,400.
Brig. Gen. Capoy praised the coordinated efforts of the police, intelligence units, and other law enforcement agencies involved in the operations.
“These arrests are a result of our continued commitment to rid Eastern Visayas of illegal drugs,” Capoy said. “We commend our personnel for their hard work and perseverance.”
All seized items were properly marked and inventoried in the presence of official witnesses, as required by law. Charges are now being prepared against the suspects. (rjb)
