In a significant blow to the local narcotics trade, authorities in Bacolod City confiscated a substantial quantity of illegal drugs with an estimated street value of over two million pesos. The operation culminated in the arrest of a man identified as a high-value target.
Major Drug Bust in Singcang-Airport
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) conducted a successful buy-bust operation on Tuesday evening, December 30, 2025. The sting took place in Purok Mainabyanon, Barangay Singcang-Airport, within the city of Bacolod, Negros Occidental.
Police operatives from Police Station 8 apprehended a 48-year-old individual known under the alias "Ernesto Candelario," a resident of the area. His arrest followed after he allegedly sold a sachet of a substance believed to be shabu to an undercover police officer.
Massive Haul and Charges Filed
Following the arrest, a search yielded a much larger cache of the prohibited substance. Law enforcers recovered several plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, with the total weight reaching approximately 335 grams.
The police have placed the total estimated value of the confiscated drugs at a staggering P2.278 million. Authorities also recovered the marked money used in the undercover transaction.
The BCPO has classified the arrested suspect as a high-value drug personality operating within Bacolod City, underscoring the significance of the operation.
Legal Proceedings Underway
"Ernesto Candelario" is currently held at the custodial facility of Police Station 3. The BCPO has confirmed that appropriate charges are being prepared against him.
He will face prosecution for alleged violations of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, commonly known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Section 5 pertains to the sale of illegal drugs, while Section 11 covers possession.
This operation highlights the continued efforts of the Bacolod City Police to combat the proliferation of dangerous drugs within the community, targeting high-impact individuals involved in the illicit trade.
