A resident of Bais City in Negros Oriental, who is reportedly an operator of a security agency with office in Dumaguete City, was arrested during a buy-bust operation at around 11:35 a.m. Saturday near the Perpetual Help Church in Dumaguete.
The suspect was identified as Nikolai Norman Romero Tantengco, 47, single, of Villanueva Subdivision in Bais City, the police said.
He was arrested while allegedly delivering one big “bulto (large volume)” of shabu to a police-poseur buyer.
The operation was conducted jointly by the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group and the Provincial Intelligence Bureau-Special Operations Group of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office.
Also recovered from the suspect’s silver gray colored Honda Accord were two more “bultos” of suspected shabu, and the P500 buy-bust money.
PAID-SOTG team leader, Senior Insp. Ryan Jay Orapa, said Tantengco is one of the top 10 illegal drugs personalities in Negros Oriental, and is considered a level two pusher.
Orapa said the suspect is a known drug personality in Bais City and one of the sources of shabu for drug peddlers in Dumaguete.
Charges for violation of sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being readied against the suspect.
The anti-drug operation was conducted with lateral coordination from the police in Dumaguete, headed by Supt. Jovito Atanacio. (PNA/JG)
