3 arrested in Iloilo City drug buy-busts; shabu seized

A high-value individual was arrested and 55 grams of suspected shabu were seized during a buy-bust operation by Iloilo City Police Station 3 around 1:55 a.m. on Sept. 24, 2025, in Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City.

The suspect, identified only as “Gerry,” 45, a drug surrenderee and resident of the same barangay, was apprehended after a monthlong intelligence operation.

Authorities recovered a large heat-sealed plastic sachet containing the suspected drugs, buy-bust money, and several non-drug items.

The suspect is under the custody of ICPS3 and faces charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

These offenses are punishable by life imprisonment and fines ranging from PHP 500,000 to PHP 10 million.

In a separate operation, Iloilo City Police Station 2 operatives arrested two high-value individuals and seized approximately 60 grams of suspected shabu around 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 24 in Barangay Nabitasan, La Paz, Iloilo City.

The suspects were identified as “Toto Bot-bot,” 23, a single male construction worker from Barangay San Pedro, Jaro, and “Nonoy Negro,” 25, a single male construction worker from Mainuswagon, Barangay Bolilao, Mandurriao.

Recovered from the suspects were 10 sachets of suspected shabu, one high-explosive cartridge, buy-bust money, and other non-drug items.

The suspects are being held by ICPS2 and will be charged with violating Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165.

PDEA target, cohort nabbed

Also, the Antique Police Provincial Office, arrested a high-value individual listed as a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) priority target and his cohort during a buy-bust operation around 2:10 p.m. on Sept. 24, 2025, in Barangay Maybato Sur, San Jose, Antique.

The suspects were identified as alias “Jojo/Sungi,” 37, a high-value individual, and alias “Che-che,” 21, a single street-level individual, both residents of San Jose, Antique.

Recovered during the operation were four knot-tied sachets and one sachet containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu, one sachet with a brown crystalline substance also suspected to be shabu, buy-bust money, and other non-drug items.

The operation was carried out by the San Jose Municipal Police Station in coordination with the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of AnPPO and the PDEA Antique Provincial Office.

The suspects are in police custody and will face charges for violating Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.