Authorities seized more than a kilogram of shabu worth P6.9 million and a firearm from a suspect in Tagbilaran City on Oct. 27, 2024.

Mario Aranzado, 44, of Barangay Bayacabac, Maribojoc, was arrested following a buy-bust operation by joint forces from the provincial police and the Tagbilaran City Police Station.

Aside from the alleged shabu, police also seized a .38 caliber revolver with live ammunition from Aranzado. 

Authorities had been monitoring the suspect’s alleged involvement in the drug trade before the sting operation.

Aranzado will face charges of violating the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and illegal possession of firearms.

In a separate operation, police seized 50 grams of alleged shabu valued at P340,000 and a .22 caliber pistol from Cerwin Ibrahim Ilano, 42, of Barangay Poblacion, Maribojoc, Bohol.

Ilano, tagged as a high-value individual, was arrested on Oct. 27, 2024.

Ilano will face charges of violating the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and illegal possession of firearms.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) is working to craft an ordinance establishing a drug rehabilitation center in the province. 

The proposed measure will address the growing need for a Bohol-based rehab center, as Boholanos currently have to travel to other parts of the country for treatment.

The need for a Bohol rehab center was in the center of policy discussion by a recent incident in which a person with a history of drug use killed a nurse in Bohol Doctor’s Hospital (formerly Englewood Hospital). 

The proposed ordinance is being refined and will be tackled by the appropriate committee soon, reports said.