‘DINAGYANG STASH’: Police seize PHP 3.6M worth shabu in two busts

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Authorities believe a large volume of shabu seized in separate operations in Iloilo City on Jan. 20 may have been intended for distribution during the Dinagyang Festival, with investigators saying some of the supply may have already reached the streets.

In one operation conducted in the afternoon in La Paz district, police arrested three men and seized suspected shabu worth PHP 2,448,000.

The suspects were identified as alias Strokey, 43, and alias Jojo, 38, both residents of Zone 4, Barangay Baldoza in La Paz, and alias Cyril, 46, a construction worker from Barangay East Baluarte in Molo.

Police said the three were apprehended at Strokey’s residence after allegedly conspiring to sell a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP 14,000.

The operation was carried out by the Iloilo City Police Office–City Drug Enforcement Unit, with support from the Regional Intelligence Unit 6, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group–Special Operations Unit, and an Iloilo City police station.

Authorities said four additional sachets and three knot-tied plastic sachets of suspected shabu, along with several non-drug items, were recovered during the operation.

Capt. Roque Gimeno III, chief of the City Drug Enforcement Unit, said the confiscated drugs weighed about 360 grams.

Gimeno said Strokey had been under police surveillance for nearly six months and was believed to be the primary target.

He said Jojo acted as Strokey’s runner, while Cyril was identified as his downline.

Police said none of the three had previous drug-related arrest records.

Gimeno said Strokey allegedly sourced the illegal drugs from a contact inside the New Bilibid Prison, with the shipment brought to Iloilo through a courier.

He added that the supply arrived in the city on Jan. 18 and may have already been partially distributed.

“Maybe, it was also intended for distribution during the Dinagyang celebration,” Gimeno said.

Later that night, police reported another drug operation in Molo district, where three more suspects were arrested and suspected shabu worth PHP 1,224,000 was confiscated as part of heightened festival security.

The operation was conducted at about 11:25 p.m. in Zone 1, Barangay Calumpang, according to the Police Regional Office 6.

The suspects were identified as alias Kapid, 48, a tricycle driver; alias Dodoy, 34, unemployed; and alias Bruce Lee, 47, with the first two classified by police as high-value individuals and the third as a street-level individual.

Police said the three suspects are residents of Barangay Sto. Niño Norte in Arevalo district.

Authorities recovered 17 sachets of suspected shabu, buy-bust money, and other non-drug paraphernalia from the suspects.

The operation was led by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6, with assistance from the Regional Intelligence Division 6, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group–Special Operations Unit 6, and Iloilo City Police Station 4.

Police Brig. Gen. Josefino D. Ligan, regional director of Police Regional Office 6, said the arrests were part of intensified law enforcement efforts ahead of the Dinagyang Festival.

“As Dinagyang approaches, we are intensifying our law enforcement operations to prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of the festivities,” Ligan said.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to help ensure public safety during the celebration.

All six suspects are currently in police custody and face charges for violations of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.