Bakhaw drug bust yields P408,000 worth of shabu

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 53-year-old unemployed man was arrested after a police anti-illegal drug operation in the late morning of February 21 at Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Jeffrey Famindalan, who resides in Barangay Taytay Zone II, Jaro, was taken into custody at his son’s residence in Bakhaw.

Operatives from the Iloilo City Police Station 5 apprehended Famindalan after he allegedly sold a sachet of suspected shabu for P5,500. The operation led to the recovery of eight additional sachets of suspected shabu and several non-drug-related items.

Captain Val Cambel, the chief of ICPS5, reported that the confiscated drugs have an estimated total weight of around 60 grams and a street value of P408,000.

Famindalan had been under surveillance for two weeks prior to Wednesday’s operation.

Cambel disclosed that they had conducted three successful undercover purchases from Famindalan.

Additionally, they obtained a video that purportedly shows him partaking in a drug session.

Despite the charges against him, Famindalan did not deny the accusations.

“He admitted to selling shabu to support his daily needs because he is jobless,” Cambel noted.

The source of Famindalan’s alleged illegal drug supply remains unknown.

He is currently detained and faces charges under Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.