Another hotel drug bust yields P612K

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police arrested two persons in yet another anti-illegal drug operation in a hotel in City Proper, Iloilo City late evening of Oct. 3, 2023.

Trisha Nicole Gabiazon, 27, of VML Subdivision, Barangay North Fundidor, Molo and Cicero Omero, 35, of Barangay Loboc, Lapuz, were collared after they were caught trading illegal drugs while billeted at Fine Rock Hotel located at Barangay Hipodromo.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU), Iloilo City Police Station, Coast Guard Intelligence Group Western Visayas, and Maritime Police Station 6 arrested the duo after they sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P10,000.

Recovered from them were 18 more sachets of suspected shabu, several drug paraphernalia, cash of P370, and other non-drug items.

Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Benitez Jr., CDEU chief, said the seized drugs weighed around 90 grams and were valued at P612,000.

Police have earlier arrested several suspected drug peddlers in previous buy-busts in a motel or hotel.

Benitez said that pushers thought that they could conceal their trade in hotels or motels just like in their houses where “new faces” could easily be detected.

It was gathered that Gabiazon and Omero had another companion but was not around when the operation was conducted.

Police are checking reports that Gabiazon was previously arrested along with her live-in partner but was released after availing of the plea bargaining agreement.

On the other hand, Omero, a delivery rider, had no previous drug-related arrests.

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