2 Nabbed, PHP551K Shabu Seized in Estancia Bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A suspected drug pusher and his cohort were arrested in an anti-illegal drug operation on the afternoon of May 16 in Estancia, Iloilo.

Alias Reg, 48, of Purok 3, Barangay Cano-an, Estancia, and alias Jiro, 21, of Clement Street, Poblacion Zone 2, Estancia, were arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Cano-an.

Operatives from the Estancia Municipal Police Station apprehended the two after they allegedly conspired to sell a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP6,100.

Police seized a total of 81.09 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of PHP551,412.

Capt. Kevin Amorio, chief of Estancia police, said Reg worked as a laborer but earned income from illegal drug activities.

He allegedly used Jiro, a street-level pusher, as his accomplice.

Amorio said the operation followed three months of intelligence gathering and monitoring.

The suspects were placed under surveillance based on reports from concerned citizens about their involvement in the drug trade.

Initial investigation showed that the suspects operated within Estancia and sourced their supply from Iloilo City.

Reg and Jiro are currently in the custody of Estancia police and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.