Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Sunday seized 65 ampoules of nalbuphine hydrochloride with trade name Nalbin during a buy-bust operation in Tagbilaran City.
The said dangerous drugs were confiscated from one Adonis Vertulfo, 37, a resident of Lamdagan Street in Barangay Cogon in Tagbilaran City, said the PDEA.
The seizure was carried out less than a week after the PDEA announced that for the first time its personnel found evidence indicating existence of illegal trade of Nubain, a nalbuphine brand, in Bohol.
In a report, the PDEA said that agents spotted Vertulfo illegally selling the said injectable analgesic or painkiller near his residence.
This prompted the PDEA to set up a buy-bust operation against the suspect.
According to authorities, Vertulfo sold three vials of Nalbin worth P1000 to an undercover agent leading to the suspect’s immediate arrest.
The other 65 ampoules found in the suspect’s possession were worth approximately P21,000 and are believed to have been transported from Cebu, said the PDEA.
Vertulfo is now detained in Camp Dagohoy pending the filing of charges against him for violating Section 5 and 11 of Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
READ: Some shabu users shift to Nubain —PDEA Bohol
On Monday last week, PDEA Bohol chief Nicholas Gomez said that they recently found out that Nubain is being used as alternative to shabu by some drug users in Bohol.
The trend likely emerged after supply of methamphetamine hydrochloride in Bohol plummeted amid the government’s crackdown on narcotics trade particularly shabu.
In 2011, nalbuphine hydrochloride, more widely known as Nubain, started to be considered as a dangerous drug as mandated by the country’s Dangerous Drugs Board.
This meant that those who illegally possess or peddle the drug can be charged for violation against Section 5 and Section 11 of Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Pharmacies need a yellow prescription to dispense dangerous drugs such as Nubain which is strong analgesic or painkiller. (W. Maestrado)