Another drug bust in Iloilo City  yields P1.428-M of shabu

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Another day, another anti-illegal drug operation in Iloilo City.

Three persons were arrested in yet another police anti-narcotics operation at City Proper, Iloilo afternoon of Jan. 17.

The suspects were identified as Virgilio Luz alias Alog, 50, a goldsmith, of Barangay Gustilo La Paz Iloilo City; and live-in partners Joland Paul Taba, 24, a construction worker, of Barangay Aguinaldo, La Paz and Jade Osorio, 23, of Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo.

They were caught in a buy-bust around 4:20 p.m. Wednesday at Luz’s rented room in Fine Rock Hotel, Barangay Hipodromo.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), together with the Iloilo City Police Station 1, collared the trio for allegedly selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P12,000.

Police later seized 11 more sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug items from the suspects.

Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., CDEU chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 210 grams and had an estimated standard drug price of P1,428,000.

A native of Bulacan province, Luz was the main target of the operation.

Police started monitoring the suspects’ operation for several weeks after receiving information about Luz’s illegal drug activities.

It appeared that Luz had been using Taba and Osorio to do the leg work for him.

The couple was tasked to deliver illegal drugs to the suspect’s clients.

Benitez said that Luz usually checked in at hotels while sorting out the illegal drug distribution.

There were reports that Luz had a previous drug-related arrest but police have yet to confirm it.

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