Drug suspect shot, nabbed in PHP 2.2M shabu bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 35-year-old man was wounded after allegedly exchanging gunfire with police during an anti-drug operation on the afternoon of Sept. 6.

The suspect, identified only by the alias Ghost, is a resident of Barangay Aganan, Pavia, Iloilo.

Police said the buy-bust took place in Barangay Pakiad, Oton, Iloilo, but the suspect was eventually arrested in Barangay Oñate-de Leon, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Reports stated that Ghost sold a sachet of suspected shabu worth PHP 35,000 to a police poseur buyer.

The operation was conducted by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) 6, along with personnel from the Regional Intelligence Division 6 and the Oton Municipal Police Station.

Ghost allegedly realized he was transacting with a police officer and attempted to flee the scene.

Police said the suspect fired a shot and fled in a Kia Picanto hatchback.

A responding officer returned fire, hitting Ghost on the left side of his body.

He was later cornered and rushed to the Western Visayas Medical Center for treatment.

Police recovered five knot-tied plastic bags of suspected shabu, a 9mm Taurus pistol, an apple green Kia Picanto registered to a resident of San Pedro City, Laguna, and several non-drug items from the suspect’s vehicle.

At the hospital, authorities also found a black wallet containing PHP 16,100 in cash and an identification card in the suspect’s possession.

RPDEU-6 team leader Capt. Glenn Soliman said the recovered drugs weighed approximately 325 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP 2,210,000.

Soliman added that investigators are looking into a possible connection between Ghost and an alias Christopher, an Ilonggo truck driver arrested on March 21, 2025, in Calapan Port, Oriental Mindoro, with PHP 816 million worth of shabu.

Police believe Ghost may have assumed Christopher’s role in transporting illegal drugs following his arrest.