PRO6, PDEA seize P36M shabu in Negros Occ.
A TOP drug trafficker in Western Visayas was arrested by combined agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) during a buy-bust operation in Negros Occidental which led to the confiscation of some P36 million worth of shabu on Friday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Dionardo B. Carlos said yesterday.
Arrested during the sting along the national highway in Barangay Old Poblacion in Escalante City in Negros Occidental around 12:40 a.m. Friday was Vicente Sepuesca, 42, a “high-value target” residing in Araneta Street in Bgy. Sum-ag, Bacolod City.
Citing a report from PRO6 director, Brig. Gen. Flynn E. Dongbo, the top cop said that recovered from the possession of the suspect were 5 plastic packets containing a kilo of the so-called “poor man’s cocaine” – a total of 6 kilograms worth P36 million, the buy-bust money, and a mobile phone he used in making the illegal drug transaction with a poseur.
Dongbo said that members of the PDEA Regional Office 6 Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, the Escalante City Police Station Drug Enforcement Team, and the local Philippine Coast Guard were involved in the successful anti-drug operation.
A white Isuzu MUX Sports utility vehicle (SUV) used by the suspect to transport the illegal drugs was impounded by the authorities.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to all our PDEA-PNP operatives for another successful joint anti-illegal drugs operation. Ako’y naniniwala na ang kooperasyon ng bawat ahensiya at sa tulong ng ating kumunidad ay malaking instrumento upang tuluyan nating mabuwag ang sindikato ng droga sa buong bansa,” Gen. Carlos said.
Brig. Gen. Dongbo said that they are fully coordinating with the PDEA headed by Dir. Gen. Wilkins M. Villanueva, in their effort to identify other possible cohorts of Sepuesca who is now being held at the Escalante City Police lock-up facility.
The suspect will be facing a non-bailable offense for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 which is punishable by life imprisonment and a maximum fine of P10 million upon conviction by the court.
