Cousins arrested in PHP 7.5-M drug bust in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two cousins were arrested following a major anti-drug operation in Santa Barbara, Iloilo, on the afternoon of Feb. 2.

The suspects, identified only as “Daboy,” 35, of DB Ledesma Street, Jaro, Iloilo City, and his cousin “Jett,” 35, of Barangay Aganan, Pavia, Iloilo, were caught in a buy-bust operation at Deca Homes Subdivision in Barangay Balabag, Santa Barbara.

Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU) arrested the cousins after they allegedly conspired to sell illegal drugs to a police poseur-buyer.

Maj. Dadje Delima, IPPO-PDEU chief, said police seized 1.105 kilograms of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of PHP 7,514,000.

Authorities conducted a two-month surveillance operation based on reports from concerned residents before confirming the suspects’ alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Police said the cousins sourced the drugs from Metro Manila and distributed them in nearby barangays of Santa Barbara and Pavia.

Daboy and Jett are now in the custody of the Santa Barbara Municipal Police Station.

They will face criminal charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.