Barangay official, 2 others arrested with P5.4-M shabu in Leyte buy-bust

PALO, Leyte — A barangay official and two companions were arrested in a buy-bust operation that led to the seizure of more than P5.4 million worth of suspected shabu on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

According to a report from the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), the suspects were identified only as alias "Mario," 35, a barangay official; alias "Jessa," 34; and alias "Josh," 18. All are residents of the municipality of Leyte.

The three were arrested along Bypass Road in Barangay San Jose, Palo, Leyte.

PRO-8 said alias "Mario" is listed as the region's Rank 1 Regional Priority Target Listed (RPTL) High-Value Individual (HVI).

Recovered during the operation were seven heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing about 805 grams, with an estimated Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) value of P5,474,000.

Police said the confiscated evidence was properly marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of the required witnesses, in accordance with the law.

The operation was conducted by joint operatives from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 8–Regional Intelligence Unit 8 (RPDEU8-RIU8), in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 8 (PDEA-8), Regional Intelligence Division–Regional Special Operations Unit 8 (RID-RSOU8), Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of the Leyte Police Provincial Office (PDEU-LPPO), 1st Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company (LPMFC), and the Palo Municipal Police Station (MPS).

PRO-8 Regional Director P/BGen. Jason Capoy lauded the successful operation.

"The arrest of the region's Rank 1 HVI is a major accomplishment in our anti-illegal drug campaign," Capoy said.

He added that the police will continue conducting intelligence-driven operations and strengthening partnerships to keep Eastern Visayas safe and drug-free.