NINE “high-value drug targets” in the Calabarzon region (Cavite/Laguna/Batangas/Rizal/Quezon) were arrested by agents of the Laguna Police Provincial Office (PPO) in separate anti-narcotics operations in the province, which also led in the seizure of nearly P6 million worth of shabu since the month started, a report to Police Regional Office 4-A (PRO 4-A) Director Brigadier General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said on Friday.

Four of the “high-value targets” or HVTs were arrested during a buy-bust operation inside a hotel resort in Barangay Labuin in Pila municipality past 8 p.m. last Tuesday, said Laguna police director Colonel Randy Glenn G. Silvio.

The official said that undercover officers from the Laguna PPO’s Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) and Special Operations Unit (SOU) spearheaded the operation with the support of the Pila Municipal Police Station (MPS).

The operatives led by Major Edison B. Ouano arrested two suspects after they conspired to sell two plastic sachets of shabu to an undercover officer.

Also recovered from the duo’s possession were 20 more plastic sachets of shabu, the buy-bust money, and a caliber .380 Colt Mustang semi-automatic pistol with a magazine containing six live ammunition.

Two motorcycles used by the suspects were impounded by the arresting team.

Silvio said that the two other suspects were arrested while in the act of sniffing shabu inside the resort room, which was searched by the team shortly after the two HVTs were caught.

Recovered from the suspect were nine plastic sachets with shabu, P3,000 in different denominations, one cal. .22 revolver without a serial number, a weighing scale, and assorted drug paraphernalia, including three water pipes, a lighter, and two pairs of scissors.

Silvio said that the drugs recovered from the four weighed around 95 grams or roughly P646,000.

The two other suspects, both residents of Bgy. H-2, Dasmariñas City in Cavite, was arrested in a sting in Purok 3, Bgy. Looc in Calamba City 1:40 p.m. last April 4.

Confiscated were three plastic sachets containing 55 grams of shabu valued at P374,000 and the buy-bust money, and the couple’s gray Honda Accord sedan.

Silvio said that members of the Calamba City Police Station under Lieutenant Col. Milany E. Martirez arrested the suspects.

Calamba City policemen also captured on the same day a top drug target during a sting in Purok 3-B in Bgy. Pansol and yielded four plastic sachets of shabu weighing 105 grams valued at P714,000 and the buy-bust money.

The 9th “high-value individual” (HVI) for illegal drugs was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Bgy. San Jose in San Pablo City last April 1.

The suspect yielded around 600 grams of shabu worth P4.140 million, the buy-bust money, and an unlicensed cal. .38 revolver with two live ammunition, a report from San Pablo City Police Station chief, Lt. Col. Joewie B. Lucas said.

Appropriate charges for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and RA 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 have been filed against the arrested suspects, said Silvio.

“These arrests were made in line with our stepped-up effort to identify and arrest all drug personalities in the province as ordered by our regional director, Brig. Gen. Nartatez,” said the official.