In a significant police operation in Panglao, a high-value individual (HVI) was apprehended with an estimated P6.8 million worth of suspected shabu.
The suspect, identified as Herbert Micabalo Atuel, 39, a tricycle driver from Purok 6, Barangay Manga, Tagbilaran City, was arrested in a buy-bust operation led by PMaj. John Khalev Sanchez, Chief of Police of the Panglao MPS Drug Enforcement Unit.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Provincial Intelligence Unit of BPPO, led by PLt. Col. Joemar Pomarejos and the command of Provincial Director PCol. Lorenzo Batuan.
The operation took place at around 9:30 pm on May 29, in Purok 4, Barangay Lourdes, Panglao, Bohol. Seized from the suspect were a medium-sized sachet of suspected shabu, the subject of the buy-bust, along with 74 pieces of P1000 counterfeit money used as boodle money, and P1000 buy-bust money.
Also recovered from his possession were a medium sachet and a large sachet of suspected shabu stored in a Chinese tea bag, a mobile phone, and a tricycle.
The suspect, listed as a High Value Individual on the drug watchlist of the Panglao Municipal Police Station, had previously been arrested in 2021 by the Cortes MPS for illegal drugs but had entered a plea bargaining agreement.
The seized suspected shabu is estimated to weigh around 1,000 grams, with a standard drug price of P6,800,000.00.
The suspect is currently detained at the Panglao MPS lock-up jail, while the evidence has been submitted to the Bohol PNP Crime Laboratory for examination and custody.
The Panglao Police are set to file charges against the suspect for violation of sections 5 and 11, Article 2 of R.A. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutors Office.