BACOLOD CITY – Police seized P2.1-million worth of suspected shabu from a hog raiser and his alleged drug runner in separate buy-bust operations here Thursday, July 28.
Police Major Joery Puerto, head of Police Station 8, said they received information about Vertudes’s alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade last year.
But they just focused monitoring on him recently after a drug suspect, who was arrested last month, told them that Vertudes supplies him illegal drugs.
Puerto said that Vertudes has a contact at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City who tells him where to get and from whom the illegal drugs should be taken here.
With the huge drug recovery, Puerto said that Vertudes can be considered a high-value individual.
Vertudes’ arrest also led to the apprehension of his alleged drug runner identified as John Mark Melana, 21, of Barangay Mansilingan here.
Puerto said that Vertudes told police that Melana was supposed to deliver illegal drugs in Barangay Singcang-Airport here Thursday.
A follow-up operation was conducted, leading to Melana’s arrest and recovery of 110 grams of suspected shabu worth P748,000.
Puerto said that Melana can be considered a street level target.
Suspects are detained at Police Station 8 and will face charges for sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs.