Ex-convict, couple arrested in P1-M drug sting in Iloilo

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

An ex-convict and a married couple were arrested during a police anti-illegal drug operation on the evening of August 22 in Janiuay, Iloilo.

The suspects were identified as Danilo, 43, of Barangay Don Lutero East, Janiuay, and the couple Artemio, 38, and Eden Grace, 40, both residents of Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay.

Members of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (IPPO-PDEU), along with the IPPO Provincial Intelligence Unit, Janiuay Municipal Police Station, Regional Maritime Unit (RMU) 6, 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, and NAVFORCEN – Naval Intelligence and Security Group (NISG) 6, carried out the operation at 6:10 p.m. on Thursday in Barangay Damires.

The suspects were allegedly involved in selling a sachet of suspected shabu. Upon arrest, authorities also recovered two knot-tied and seven sachets of suspected shabu, along with several non-drug items.

Major Harold Rendora, chief of IPPO-PDEU, reported that the seized drugs weighed approximately 150 grams, with a standard drug price of P1,020,000.

Rendora stated that Danilo was the primary target of their operation, which followed a month-long surveillance.

“That’s when we learned that the couple connived with Danilo,” Rendora said.

Danilo had a previous drug-related arrest in 2016 and was released in 2018 through a plea bargaining agreement.

Meanwhile, Artemio and Eden Grace were newly-identified drug personalities.

The trio’s area of operations included Janiuay and its neighboring towns.

The suspects are currently detained and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.