About half a million worth of suspected shabu was seized in a buy-bust operation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency at East Homes I subdivision in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City, at about 8:45 a.m. yesterday.

The PDEA operatives also arrested Rodolfo Pongan Jr., wife Jerlyn Pongan, and their right hand, Jason Baron, PDEA regional director Paul Ledesma, said.

Ten big sachets of suspected shabu, including the buy-bust item, all weighing 80 grams and with estimated street value of P500,000 were seized from the couple and Baron, Ledesma said.

The buy-bust also yielded an electric sealer, P11,500 in buy-bust money, P26,350 in cash, believed to be proceeds for the illegal sale of shabu, and a money dispenser, records showed.

Ledesma said the Pongans and Baron are not in the drugs watchlist since their buy-bust was framed in an intelligence-base operation, where there is a casing and surveillance.

Ledesma said their operation was not based on the watchlist since those who are listed on it are not major carriers.

This was the first operation this year of the new team of PDEA operatives assigned in Negros Occidental, Ledesma said.

Charges for violation of Sections 5 or sale, 11 or possession of prohibited drugs, and 26 or conspiracy, are being readied against the Pongans and Baron, Ledesma also said.*SGG

back to top