Ex-con, Companion Nabbed in P442K Drug Bust

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A convicted criminal and his companion were arrested in an anti-narcotics operation on Dec. 22 in Arevalo, Iloilo City.

The suspects were identified as Colly Saloma, 35, of Landheights Subdivision, Barangay Guzman-Jesena, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, and alias Jed, 39, of Barangay Fuentes, Banate, Iloilo, who is temporarily residing on Delgado Street, City Proper, Iloilo City.

Police apprehended the two in a roadside buy-bust operation at Zone 10, Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo, around 1:16 a.m.

Members of the Iloilo City Police Station 6 arrested the duo after they sold a sachet of suspected shabu for PHP 3,500.

Authorities seized five additional sachets of suspected shabu and various non-drug items during the operation.

Captain Benjie Dicen, chief of Iloilo City Police Station 6, said the seized drugs weighed about 65 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP 442,000.

Dicen revealed that this was already Saloma’s third drug-related arrest.

The Mandurriao police previously apprehended Saloma in 2016 and 2019.

Dicen noted that while the details of Saloma’s first case were unclear, he had availed of a plea-bargaining agreement for his second case.

Jed, on the other hand, had no prior arrests.

Both suspects claimed that they sourced their drugs from a contact at the New Bilibid Prison.

The supply was reportedly dropped off at their designated location.

Dicen added that the suspects did not operate in any specific area.

Colly and Jed are now detained and face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.