Eight arrested, PHP 1.87 million shabu seized in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Seven high-value drug personalities and one street-level drug pusher were arrested during a six-hour anti-drug operation by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) on Aug. 28.

The series of operations led to the confiscation of approximately 275 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP 1.87 million.

The first buy-bust operation occurred at around 3:45 p.m. in Barangay Calumpang, Molo district, resulting in the arrest of four suspects.

The suspects were identified as alias Jeric, 29; alias Intsik, 40; alias Renboy, 23; and alias Neneng, 54—all residents of the same barangay.

Seized from the group were about 60 grams of suspected shabu valued at PHP 408,000, along with various non-drug items.

At 4:42 p.m., personnel from Iloilo City Police Station 1 apprehended two more suspects in Barangay Legaspi-Dela Rama, City Proper.

Alias Toto, 36, of Barangay San Isidro, Buenavista, Guimaras, and alias Nick, 35, of Barangay Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo, were found with another 60 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP 408,000.

Before 6 p.m., Iloilo City Police Station 3 conducted a buy-bust in Barangay Camalig, Jaro, where alias Joey, 36, was arrested.

Police recovered four sachets of suspected shabu weighing approximately 80 grams and valued at PHP 544,000 from Joey, a resident of the same barangay.

Later, at 9:42 p.m., Iloilo City Police Station 6, supported by the Iloilo Maritime Police Station, arrested alias Rene, 22, in Barangay So-oc, Arevalo.

The operation yielded five sachets and one knot-tied plastic bag of suspected shabu weighing around 75 grams and worth PHP 510,000.

Colonel Kim Legada, Iloilo City police chief, commended the operating units of ICPO for their commitment and credited community support for the day’s success in the city’s anti-drug campaign.