Two tourist transport drivers including a man deemed a high-value drug target in the Bohol Provincial Police Office’s (BPPO) anti-drug campaign were arrested in separate drug buy-bust operations in Tagbilaran City on Tuesday.

The suspected drug pushers were identified as Robert Sy, 39, of Barangay Salvador in Sierra Bullones and Jonnifer Sacolinggan, 32, of Villa Aurora in Antequera who were allegedly caught in possession of shabu worth P170,000 and P122,000, respectively.

Police said that Sy was tagged as a “big-time” drug dealer while Sacolinggan was included in the BPPO’s drug watch list as a high value target.

Sy was caught in possession of shabu worth P170,000 during a sting operation along J. Torralba Street in Barangay Poblacion at past 7 p.m., said Police Sr. Insp. Jojit Mananquil of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) 7.

While on board a Nissan Almera as driver, Sy allegedly sold shabu to an undercover agent.

Sy was immediately apprehended by RSOG and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agents for violating Sections 5 and 11 of Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

According to Mananquil, Sy mostly sold drugs to tourists including foreigners.

He sourced his drug supply from Cebu and transported it using pumpboats possibly entering through Tubigon, Mananquil added.

Earlier on Tuesday, operatives of the BPPO Provincial Intelligence Branch apprehended Sacolinggan along with his alleged cohort in the drug trade, Joseph Pizaret, in Barangay Dampas also through a buy-bust operation.

Police said that like Sy, Sacolinggan also sold his drug supply mostly to tourists.

However, Sy denied having operated with Sacolinggan and knowing him.

Both are now detained at Camp Francsico Dagohoy in Tagbilaran City pending the filing of charges against them. (W. Maestrado)