3 Nabbed in PHP 400K Drug Bust in Roxas City

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Three individuals were arrested on Wednesday afternoon, October 2, during a buy-bust operation at an alleged drug den in Saint Francis Subdivision, Barangay Tanque, Roxas City.

The suspects were identified as Gilbert Ablero Fadrique, May Casugbo Cordovero, and Achilles Baltazar Dilla.

Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Capiz recovered 16 sachets of suspected illegal drugs valued at PHP 400,000; PHP 1,000 in marked money, a digital weighing scale, and various drug paraphernalia.

PDEA Capiz Provincial Officer Maria Melinda Panaguiton said the apartment was used as a location for transporting and repacking illegal drugs before distribution to clients.

According to reports, individuals on motorcycles were seen at the apartment, allegedly exchanging vehicles for illegal drugs.

Tanque Barangay Kagawad Berger Ambuayan confirmed receiving reports of illegal activities in the area but said he did not know the individuals arrested in the operation.

Fadrique, however, denied ownership of the recovered items, claiming they were left by an unidentified person in the apartment.

PDEA is preparing to file charges against the three suspects for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The suspects are currently under the custody of PDEA-Capiz.