Almost P500K worth of ‘shabu’ seized in drug bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 48-year-old woman already facing a string of cases was arrested once more for alleged drug peddling.

Ana Pedrajas of Oton, Iloilo was arrested on August 23 inside a pension house on Ledesma Street, Barangay Ed Ganzon, City Proper, Iloilo City.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Station and the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU) nabbed Pedrajas for allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P8,000.

When police scoured her rented room, they recovered 22 more sachets of suspected shabu, a wallet, a mobile phone, a pouch, and a belt bag.

Captain Roque Gimeno III, ICPS1 chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 70 grams and were valued at P476,000.

Pedrajas’s alleged drug involvement came to fore about a week ago following information from a confidential tipster.

Gimeno said Pedrajas could have established links with drug personalities through her husband who has relatives in Barangay Desamparados, Jaro, and Bakhaw, Mandurriao, which are known for the illegal drug trade.

Pedrajas has pending cases for estafa and the use of a fictitious name.

She was also tagged in swindling activities against ATM users.

Pedrajas also allegedly scammed some individuals by selling lots with no corresponding documents.

Her latest arrest was on May 22 after she was accused of theft.

At that time, she claimed to be 42 years old and residing in Barangay Tabucan, Mandurriao.

She allegedly took the wallet of a certain Mila Telleran containing P25,000.

The wallet was later recovered from her possession but no money was found inside.

With her latest arrest, Pedrajas will also be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).