The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested four high-value individuals (HVIs) and seized more than P17.1 million worth of suspected shabu in two back-to-back buy-bust operations conducted Monday evening, 12 January, in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and in  Palo, Leyte.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PNP said the operations were part of its intensified campaign against illegal drugs under its Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) strategy.

In Bacolod City, operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) of the Bacolod City Police Office arrested two HVIs during a buy-bust operation at around 6:16 p.m. inside a residential area in Barangay Mandalagan.

The suspects, both listed by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), were arrested for violations of Sections 5 (sale), 11 (possession), and 26 (attempt or conspiracy) of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Police recovered a sachet of suspected shabu used as the buy-bust item, several additional sachets, and knot-tied plastic bags containing suspected shabu, P6,000 in marked money, and other non-drug items. Authorities estimated the total weight of the seized drugs at around 1,300 grams, with a standard value of approximately P8.84 million.

Just over two hours later, another buy-bust operation was carried out at around 8:27 p.m. in Barangay San Joaquin, Palo, Leyte, resulting in the arrest of two more HVIs identified as Jayson Ryan B. De Ocampo and Harun S. Masaronay.

The operation was led by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Leyte Police Provincial Office, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 8 and several PNP support units.

Recovered during the Leyte operation were approximately 1,222 grams of suspected shabu valued at P8.31 million, along with buy-bust money and other non-drug evidence. The suspects and seized items are now under the custody of the PDEU-Leyte for proper disposition and case build-up.

PNP Chief PLTGEN Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. lauded the operating units for the successful operations, saying the arrests dealt a significant blow to organized drug networks.

“This is a big win for our anti-illegal drugs campaign. Taking high-value targets off the streets means disrupting supply lines and preventing large volumes of drugs from reaching our communities,” Nartatez said.

All four suspects are facing inquest proceedings for violations of RA 9165, while the confiscated drug evidence has been submitted for laboratory examination.

The PNP reiterated its call for continued public cooperation, stressing that community support remains vital in sustaining gains against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality.