BACOLOD CITY -- A casual employee of the local government of Manapla in Negros Occidental was arrested after he was caught in possession of 155 grams of shabu with a value of P1,054,000 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 1A, Manapla, Negros Occidental Saturday, Nov. 26.
The subject was identified as Steve Silava, 36, of Barangay 1A.
Capt. Gerald Muya, head of Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), said that the police had been monitoring Silava since 2021.
The Special Operations Unit (SOU)-Western Visayas of Philippine National Police (PNP) Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) led the operation backed by PDEU.
Muya said that Silava was arrested for a drug offense in 2017, and was released three years later through plea bargaining.
Muya said that Silava can be considered a high value individual. He will be charged for sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs.