‘Drug peddler’ arrested in Pavia after eluding police

By Jennifer P. Rendon

After four failed attempts, police finally arrested a suspected drug pusher in an anti-narcotics operation on the evening of Sept. 11 in Barangay Balabag, Pavia, Iloilo.

The suspect, Michael Jagonasi Lopez, 41, of Barangay Ungka 2, was apprehended after selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P7,000 to undercover police officers.

The operation, conducted by the Pavia Municipal Police Station, also led to the seizure of 15 more sachets of suspected shabu and other non-drug items from Lopez’s possession.

According to Pavia Police Chief Major Dadje Delima, the confiscated drugs weighed approximately 90 grams, with an estimated street value of P612,000.

Delima noted that police had made three previous attempts to arrest Lopez, but he evaded capture each time.

The fourth operation succeeded after police used a different confidential agent to approach him.

Several suspects arrested in earlier anti-drug operations had identified Lopez as their supplier.

Investigators also discovered that Lopez had been using his teenage nephew as a runner for drug transactions.

Lopez is currently detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.