BACOLOD CITY -- A vendor and his helper were arrested after they allegedly yielded 40 grams of shabu valued at P272,000 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 1, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday, Jan. 15.
Arrested were Richard Olarte, 41, of Barangay Tangub, and Jerry Dela Cruz, 57, of Barangay 1, in this city.
Both are newly-identified individuals, according to the police.
Operatives of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) conducted the operation as a measure to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs during the highlight of the Kabankalan City’s Sinulog Festival, which was celebrated after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
The suspects are detained at Kabankalan City Police Station.