Driver arrested in Pavia for P782K drug deal

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Joint police units apprehended a driver during an anti-drug operation just after midnight on March 9 in Pavia, Iloilo.

Raymond Salvilla, 46, was taken into custody at his residence in Barangay Ungka 1, Pavia.

The operation was a collaborative effort involving the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) – Special Operations Unit 6, the Pavia Municipal Police Station, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6.

Salvilla was caught selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P20,000.

In the subsequent search, operatives discovered two more sachets and two knot-tied plastic packs containing suspected shabu, along with a pouch and a mobile phone.

The confiscated substances have a combined weight of about 115 grams and an estimated street value of P782,000.

Major Dadje Delima, the Pavia police chief, noted that Salvilla occasionally worked as a driver for a ride-hailing service.

While Salvilla has had no prior arrests for drug-related activities, he is known to have undergone drug rehabilitation in the past. According to reports, he obtained his narcotics from a supplier in Iloilo province.

Salvilla is currently being held in detention and faces charges for violation of Section 26 in connection with Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.