Eight nabbed, P762K shabu seized in 48-hour Iloilo City drug busts

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Eight suspected drug personalities were arrested in a series of drug operations conducted by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) within a 48-hour period, beginning at 4 a.m. on September 2.

These operations resulted in the confiscation of approximately 112 grams of shabu, valued at P762,000, according to police reports.

The largest drug haul occurred following an intelligence-driven operation by Iloilo City Police Station (ICPS) 2, which led to the arrest of two high-value drug targets.

A suspect, alias Toto Badjao, 42, of Barangay Baldoza, La Paz district, and another, alias Marie, 30, of Barangay Railway, La Paz, were arrested at 12:57 p.m. on September 3 in Caingin village, La Paz. Authorities seized 56 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P380,800, from the pair.

Later that evening, at 9:40 p.m., members of ICPS 9 arrested two street-level drug pushers in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Balabago, Jaro. Police recovered 18 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P122,400, from alias Juls, 24, of Barangay Buntatala, Jaro, and alias Luther, 50, of Barangay Ticud, La Paz.

On the afternoon of September 2, a separate operation led by combined elements of ICPS 1, the City Drug Enforcement Unit, the Iloilo City Mobile Force Company, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG), and Maritime Police arrested another street-level drug personality in Barangay Muelle Loney, City Proper.

The suspect, alias Nonoy King, 30, of Barangay Gustilo, La Paz, was found with 20 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P136,000.

At 3:12 p.m. on the same day, operatives from ICPS 5 apprehended another street-level suspect. Alias Christian, 26, of Barangay Jalandoni, Jaro, was caught in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Q. Abeto, Mandurriao, with 5 grams of suspected shabu valued at P34,000.

Just over an hour later, ICPS 4 arrested alias Bokling, 39, also of Barangay Q. Abeto, Mandurriao, after recovering 8 grams of shabu worth P54,400 during a buy-bust operation.

The series of operations concluded at 2 a.m. on September 4, with ICPS 8 arresting street-level pusher alias Ton-Ton, 21, of Fajardo Extension, Jaro, in Barangay Mansaya, La Paz. Police recovered 5 grams of shabu, valued at P34,000.

Iloilo City Police Chief Colonel Kim Legada commended the operatives for their continuous efforts in the anti-drug campaign.

“These accomplishments are a testament to our personnel’s dedication and commitment to eradicating the menace of illegal drugs from our streets,” Legada said. He also vowed that ICPO would continue its relentless operations against illegal drugs.