By Glazyl Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – About nine kilos of suspected marijuana amounting to P1.08 million, and P158,400 worth of suspected marijuana plants were seized in two separate buy-bust operations in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental Sunday, August 12.
The 8 kilos of suspected dried marijuana leaves worth P960,000 and 120 suspected marijuana plants worth P158,400 recovered from Jonas Alvios in a buy-bust at Brgy. Igmaya-an, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Don Salvador Municipal Police Station)
The first operation was conducted at a public cemetery in Barangay Pandanon against Nelson Ortiz, 58, of Brgy. Bunga around 3:11 p.m.
Recovered from him were a kilo of suspected dried marijuana leaves worth P120,000, the P200-marked money, and a tricycle.
Capt. Jerald Muya, town police chief, said Ortiz had been under surveillance by Police Station 7 here after learning he also reportedly distributed his supply in Bacolod.
Muya said that after his arrest, Ortiz disclosed to authorities that Jonas Alvios, 50, of Barangay Igmaya-an was his source, which prompted the police to also conduct another drug bust against the latter.
Alvios, a high value target, was arrested in Barangay Igmaya-an at around 5:15 p.m., which led to the confiscation of eight kilos of suspected dried marijuana leaves worth P960,000, and the P500 marked money.
Police also uprooted 120 suspected marijuana plants worth P158,400 owned by Alvios.
Both suspects are now at the Don Salvador Municipal Police Station for the filing of drug charges.