TAGBLARAN CITY – Police here have seized 550 grams of alleged shabu, estimated to cost Php 3,740,000 from the arrested drug suspect Elwin Josol Paredes, 49, a.k.a. “Wengweng,” male, married of barangay Calunasan, Calape town.
The drug haul was carried out by police operatives led by city police chief John Kareen Escober in a buybust operation at Purok 1, Brgy. Manga, Tagbilaran City on April 12, 2025 at 7:03 in the evening.
Meanwhile, the illegal drug problem in Bohol is getting serious, based on the 29th round of public presentation of Bohol Poll 2025 on Friday by Holy Name University Research and Publication Center.
The opinion survey conducted on March 6-29 showed that 16% of the 400 respondent-voters said it “very serious” just like last year’s figure. The “very serious” of the illegal drugs in Bohol posted 6% in the year 2022 and 4% in 2023. This year’s survey said the problem is 36% said it’s “not serious” and 21%, “not a problem.”
The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) was able to reduce the number of drugs-affected barangays to 374. Some 718 are now considered as drug-cleared barangays of the total 1,109 barangays in Bohol.
The success in decreasing the number of drug affected barangays is credited to the police efforts thru 2,808 operations conducted and 3,100 individual/suspects arrested. A total of P447,972,215.60 worth of 65,877,844 grams Illegal drugs seized last year.
The Local Government of Tagbilaran City, under the leadership of Mayor Jane C. Yap, continues to provide unwavering support to these efforts, reinforcing a shared vision of a drug-free and peaceful Tagbilaran.
“Kini nga kalampusan nagpakita nga seryoso ang kapulisan sa pagpakigbatok sa iligal nga druga. Uban ang suporta sa atong LGU ug sa katawhan, padayon ang Oplan LIMPYO Tagbilaran sa pagtukod og malinawon ug luwas nga siyudad,” matod ni PLTCOL Escober.
The arrested individual is now in custody while charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared. (rvo)
