Cabatuan drug sting nets PHP 2.3 million shabu

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police seized more than PHP 2.3 million worth of suspected shabu during an anti-drug operation in Cabatuan, Iloilo, late Friday morning, July 10.

The suspect, a 41-year-old man identified only by the alias Jourgeen, was arrested in a buy-bust operation at his younger sister’s house in Barangay Jelicuon Montinola, where he was staying.

Members of Teams 1 and 2 of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit conducted the operation with the IPPO Provincial Intelligence Unit, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 6, Regional Intelligence Division, and Cabatuan Municipal Police Station.

Police arrested Jourgeen after he allegedly sold a plastic sachet of suspected shabu to an undercover officer for PHP 15,000.

Operatives also seized two knotted plastic packs and a large plastic sachet containing suspected shabu, along with several non-drug items.

IPPO-PDEU chief Maj. Dadje Delima said the seized drugs weighed about 340 grams and had an estimated value of PHP 2,312,000.

Delima said police had monitored the suspect’s alleged illegal drug activities in 2025 but initially lacked an informant who could help authorities build a case against him.

Investigators developed a lead two weeks before the operation and began conducting surveillance on the suspect.

Police alleged that Jourgeen obtained his drug supply from a distributor in Iloilo province.

Authorities said the suspect had no previous criminal record.

Jourgeen remains in police custody and faces charges under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.