Major Drug Bust in Victorias City Nets P748K in Shabu, Two Suspects Arrested
The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has achieved a significant victory in its ongoing war against illegal substances with a successful anti-drug operation in Victorias City, Negros Occidental. On February 10, 2026, law enforcement officers conducted a targeted buy-bust in Ditching Subdivision, Barangay 5, leading to the apprehension of two individuals and the confiscation of suspected shabu valued at approximately P748,000.
Details of the Arrest and Seized Evidence
Authorities identified the detained suspects as alias “Popi” or “Paupee,” a 43-year-old helper residing in Villa Cristina, Barangay 21, Victorias City, and alias “Mar,” a 39-year-old resident of Ditching Subdivision. According to Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, chief of the PRO-NIR Public Information Office, the operation was executed by the Victorias City Police Station after one suspect sold a sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover officer.
During the arrest, police recovered:
- Multiple plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated market value of P748,000.
- The P1,000 marked money used in the transaction.
- Various drug paraphernalia.
Suspect Profiles and Previous Encounters
Malong clarified that alias “Popi” is classified as a high-value individual (HVI) at the regional level, ranking No. 19, while his companion is considered a street-level individual (SLI). Notably, the primary suspect had been the subject of buy-bust operations in 2024 and 2025, but those attempts failed due to his cautious and evasive tactics, highlighting the persistence required in such investigations.
Legal Proceedings and Police Commitment
The suspects are currently held at the custodial facility of the Victorias City Police Station and are facing charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The seized evidence has been inventoried following standard protocols and forwarded to the Negros Occidental Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory analysis to confirm the substance.
In a statement, Malong emphasized PRO-NIR's unwavering dedication to eradicating illegal drugs, stating, “There will be no sanctuary and no tolerance for individuals involved in the illegal drug trade, as law enforcement operations are continuously strengthened to dismantle criminal networks, protect communities, enforce peace and order, and safeguard public safety across the Negros Island Region.” This operation underscores the agency's intensified and resolute campaign to maintain security and order in the region.
