18-Year-Old Suspect Arrested in Negros Occidental Buy-Bust Operation

An 18-year-old male suspect, known by the alias "Inggo," was apprehended in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) on Wednesday in Hacienda Carmenchica, Barangay Don Salvador Benedicto, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental. The suspect, who is currently unemployed and resides on 2nd Street in the barangay, was caught in possession of nine sachets of suspected methamphetamine (shabu) weighing approximately 25 grams. The street value of the confiscated drugs is estimated at P170,000.

The arrest followed a tip-off from a confidential informant indicating that the suspect was actively involved in the illegal drug trade within the locality. Police operatives conducted surveillance to verify the information and subsequently executed the buy-bust operation upon confirmation of the suspect's activities in the area.

In a statement, PRO-NIR emphasized, "This successful operation once again demonstrates the firm and consistent stand of PRO NIR in its fight against illegal drugs. With every arrest and every recovery, PRO NIR sends a clear message that illegal drug activities will never be tolerated in Negros Island."

The seized drug evidence has been forwarded to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory analysis. Meanwhile, the arrested individual remains in custody at the Pontevedra Municipal Police Station pending proper legal proceedings.