BACOLOD City –A couple tagged as “high-value” drug targets were arrested in a sting operation in Barangay Bata here.
The suspects identified as Randy and Duckin Hamantoc were cornered Tuesday morning at their residence in Goldcrest Subdivision.
Armed with search warrant, antidrug operatives raided Hamantoc residence around 7:30 a.m. They recovered suspected shabu weighing about 120 grams valued around P816,000.
The couple was detained at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s provincial office in this city. They face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
According to information from PDEA, Randy is the son of Rhodora Hamantoc, who was among the five arrested by PDEA agents in a search operation in neighboring Talisay City on July 25 that led to the recovery of some P5.4 million worth of shabu.
The Hamantocs are believed to be previous residents of Purok Kagaykay, Barangay 2, a village in Bacolod City known for the presence of several drug personalities.
Last week, PDEA agents seized P748,000 worth of shabu from two suspects in separate buy-bust operations in this city.
On August 27, Raniel Rivera was arrested in Barangay Bata while, a day before, Carlo Boncalon was caught in Barangay 10.
Rivera and Boncalon each yielded about 55 grams of the prohibited substance amounting to P374,000. (With a report from PNA/PN)
