Authorities seized more than P30 million worth of suspected shabu and arrested two high-value drug suspects in separate buy-bust operations in Bohol recently.
The first operation, conducted last week at 5:28 a.m. in Barangay Poblacion, Panglao, led to the arrest of Clifford Autida, 34, a resident of Barangay Dampas, Tagbilaran City.
Police confiscated three kilograms of suspected shabu, valued at P20.4 million, along with a .45 caliber pistol and live ammunition.
Days later, police launched another sting operation in Barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City, resulting in the arrest of Mark Anthony Pilayre.
Authorities seized 1.5 kilograms of suspected shabu, worth over P10 million, along with a KG-9 submachine gun and additional rounds of ammunition.
The operations were conducted by the Bohol Provincial Intelligence Unit-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PIU-PDEU) in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The team was led by Police Lt. Mark Jucel Reburiano and Police Lt. Noubell Padernal, under the supervision of Police Lt. Col. Joemar Pomarejos.
Pomarejos said both suspects had been under surveillance for weeks, as intelligence reports linked them to drug distribution in Panglao, nearby towns in Bohol’s 1st and 2nd districts, and Tagbilaran City.
He also revealed that Autida was allegedly receiving his drug supply from an inmate currently detained in an undisclosed facility.
Both Autida and Pilayre will face charges for violating Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act 10591 (Illegal Possession of Firearms), in relation to the Comelec gun ban.
All seized evidence has been turned over to the PNP Forensic Unit in Bohol for chemical analysis.