Estancia drug bust yields P1.02-M worth of shabu

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A jobless man was arrested in yet another big-time anti-illegal drugs operation in Estancia, Iloilo late afternoon of Dec. 14.

Arthem Pabalinas was collared in a buy-bust operation at Barangay Poblacion Zone II, Estancia.

Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office-Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU), together with Estancia Municipal Police Station, collared the suspect after selling a sachet of suspected shabu for P1,000.

When he was frisked, police recovered eight more sachets of suspected shabu.

Lieutenant Renzo Martinez, IPPO-PDEU team leader, said the seized shabu weighed around 150 grams and was valued at P1,020,000.

Martinez, who was recently relieved as Estancia police chief, said Pabalinas had been under surveillance for about five months already. He had no previous drug-related arrests.

But it was gathered that Pabalinas has been working for alleged big-time drug distributors who were busted in recent months.

With his superiors’ arrest, Pabalinas was tasked to take over their operation.

During his arrest, the suspect also alleged that a politician acted as their protector. But he did not go into details.

Pabalinas is now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).