Ang Pahayagan

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Three identified high-value drug targets and their cohorts were arrested in separate police operations in Bulacan and Bataan, yielding over PHP2 million worth of suspected shabu.

In Sta. Maria, Bulacan on Tuesday, September 2, joint operatives from the Sta. Maria Municipal Police Station (MPS) Special Drug Enforcement Unit, Bulacan PIU, PIT East, RIU3, and PDEA Bulacan conducted a buy-bust operation around 5:40 p.m. in Barangay Mag-asawang Sapa.

A 50-year-old male suspect was arrested, with authorities seizing about 60 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP408,000, along with marked buy-bust money.

Later that evening, at around 11:50 p.m., police in Dinalupihan, Bataan apprehended another high-value individual along with two male companions in Barangay Old San Jose. The suspects were caught in the act of selling suspected shabu to a police poseur-buyer.

The operation resulted in the confiscation of approximately 78 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP530,400, additional sachets, and marked money.

The intensified anti-illegal drug operations of the Bulacan police also led to the arrest of another high-value individual (HVI) in Barangay San Marcos, Calumpit town, on Wednesday night.

In a statement, Bulacan provincial director Col. Angel A. Garcillano identified the suspect as alias “Sacho,” 63, a tricycle driver and resident of Barangay San Marcos. The suspect was arrested by the Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) of the Calumpit Municipal Police Station during a buy-bust operation at around 10:45 p.m.

Recovered from the suspect were 200 grams of suspected shabu with a street value of PHP1.36 million, a black sling bag, a weighing scale, assorted drug paraphernalia, empty sachets and the marked boodle money used in the operation.

Garcillano assured that standard procedures were strictly followed during the inventory of the seized evidence, with witnesses from the barangay, media and Department of Justice present.

PRO3 Regional Director Police Brig. General Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. lauded the operatives for the successful operations, underscoring the police force’s determination to eradicate illegal drugs in Central Luzon.

“These successive arrests of HVIs only prove our firm resolve to dismantle drug syndicates and prevent the further spread of illegal drugs in our communities. We will continue to hit hard against those who persist in this trade, no matter where they operate,” Peñones said. (Jason De Asis with reports from PNA)

📸HVI NABBED. The Calumpit police arrested a high-value individual, alias “Sacho,” in a buy-bust operation on Wednesday night (Sept. 3, 2025). Police recovered 200 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP1.3 million, along with drug paraphernalia. (Photo courtesy of Bulacan PPO via PNA)