Duo falls in Carles town drug sting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Two individuals were arrested during a police anti-illegal drug operation in the early morning of February 16 in Carles, Iloilo. The suspects have been identified as 36-year-old Jaypee Castillo and his 23-year-old nephew, Ronnel Castillo, both of whom reside in Sitio Camindes, Barangay Bancal, Carles.

Members of the Carles Municipal Police Station, in collaboration with the Iloilo Police Provincial Office – Provincial Intelligence Unit (IPPO-PIU), the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, the IPPO Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), the Iloilo Maritime Police Station, and the 4th SOU-PNP, led the operation targeting the two suspects. The suspects are alleged to have conspired to sell two sachets of suspected shabu, valued at PHP 7,000.

Following their arrest, police confiscated an additional 21 sachets of suspected shabu, a Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle, and several non-drug-related items. Major Harold Rendora, the Carles police chief, stated that the seized drugs weighed approximately 111 grams and had a street value of PHP 754,400.

Investigations revealed that Jaypee, the primary target of the operation, is classified as a high-value individual, while his nephew Ronnel has recently been identified as a drug personality. Their arrests came after three weeks of surveillance.

Over the past year, the Carles PNP has intensified its monitoring operations against the illegal drug trade in the area, following several arrests that have resulted in the capture of significant quantities of suspected shabu.