Alleged top drug dealer nabbed with P646-K ‘shabu’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 22-year-old man who ranked 10th on Western Visayas’ target list of illegal drug personalities was arrested evening of Oct 10, 2022 in Lapuz, Iloilo.

Police collared John Angelo Eduardo at his home in Zone 3, Barangay Bo. Obrero, Lapuz district.

Members of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU-6), together with personnel from the Iloilo City Police Station 2, arrested the suspect after selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P15,000 to a police poseur buyer.

When frisked, the suspect yielded 18 more sachets of suspected shabu.

Lieutenant Glenn Soliman, RPDEU-6 chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 95 grams and were valued at P646,000.

While considered on the priority list among high-value individuals (HVIs) in Western Visayas, Eduardo had no prior drug-related arrests.

But Soliman said the suspect had been incarcerated for petty crimes like theft and alarm and scandal.

It was during his detention where he may have established contacts with his source.

Soliman said it appeared that Eduardo’s connection at the New Bilibid Prison supplied him with illegal drugs.

He was entrusted with around 200 grams of shabu in a week.

Eduardo’s alleged illegal drug trade involvement was monitored around two months ago.

The suspect is now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).